Culture

A wizard in the sky: The apophenia of nebulae (pictures)

What do you see when you look at nebula photographs? One astrophotographer has shared his vision of the shapes in space.

Michelle Starr

Michelle Starr is CNET's science editor, and she hopes to get you as enthralled with the wonders of the universe as she is. When she's not daydreaming about flying through space, she's daydreaming about bats.

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Michelle Starr

Jan. 8, 2015 5:01 a.m. PT

1 of 8 © J-P Metsavainio. Used with permission of J-P Metsavainio.

The Wizard

NGC 7380 -- nicknamed the Wizard Nebula -- was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787, the first woman to be paid for her work in science.

You can find more information about this image here.

2 of 8 © J-P Metsavainio. Used with permission of J-P Metsavainio.

The Dancer

Melotte 15 is nicknamed the Heart Nebula, but in this small piece, Metsavainio sees a twirling dancer.

You can find more information about this image here.

3 of 8 © J-P Metsavainio. Used with permission of J-P Metsavainio.

The Heart

Here is the Heart Nebula -- Melotte 15 -- in all its muscly glory.

You can find more information about this image here.

4 of 8 © J-P Metsavainio. Used with permission of J-P Metsavainio.

The Dragon

In this 18-panel mosaic of the Veil Nebula inside the constellation Cygnus, Metsavainio sees a Chinese dragon.

You can find more information about this image here.

5 of 8 © J-P Metsavainio. Used with permission of J-P Metsavainio.

The Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree Cluster, topped by the Cone Nebula.

You can find more information about this image here.

6 of 8 © J-P Metsavainio. Used with permission of J-P Metsavainio.

The Hawk

The wings of a hawk, spreading across NGC 7000, the North American Nebula.

You can find more information about this image here.

7 of 8 © J-P Metsavainio. Used with permission of J-P Metsavainio.

The Red Ghost

A ghost haunts Cassiopeia in the form of IC 63.

You can find more information about this image here.

8 of 8 © J-P Metsavainio. Used with permission of J-P Metsavainio.

The Rose

The origins of the Rosette Nebula's nickname are pretty clear.

You can find more information about this image here.

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