DISTANT WORLDS 2 - DAY 25 - IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING
06 Feb 2019Zak Starfall
Galactic stardate 06FEB3305Nebula. That was the word for today.
Two were within reach of our overnight accommodation at Sacaqawea Space port - Spear Thistle Nebula and Octopus Nebula.
We undocked at first light and lifted off towards the richly hued sky that is now our constant companion as we get closer to the core and the star density grows.
First on our agenda was Spear Thistle Nebula and on approach it was obvious how it got its name with it's purple and pink colourations.
At the centre of the nebula was a black hole, but little else, so a few data recordings were made and we pushed on on the longer trek to Octopus Nebula.
As we closed on the Octopus, it's structure could be clearly seen - it was a much more open gas cloud than we had seen at previous nebulae, with it's tendril like hydrogen clouds wrapping themselves like tentacles around a large white core.
Once we had jumped into a system within the nebula itself the true majesty of the setting could be truly appreciated. We actually felt enveloped by a cloud with some physicality, rather than just travelling through oddly lit space. The nearby nebulae looking striking set off against the rich red cloud of Octopus
It was a serene kind of day today, no dramas, just a laidback journey pausing to gaze at some more of the wondrous sights that this galaxy of ours has to offer.
This trip certainly has plenty of variety. I wonder what tomorrow has in store?
o7