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PIX4589441: Constellation Cancer - Cancer constellation - At the top right, the star Pollux des Gemeaux. Cancer (the Crab) is a rather small constellation of 506 square degrees without any bright stars, however, the stick figure above strongly hints at a crab - like shape. The ecliptic runs through the middle of the main stars, which makes it one of the 12 zodiacal constellations. It is best seen in the early evening in March. The most obvious feature in the image above is the large open cluster Messier 44, also known as Praesepe, which appears to the unaided eye as a fuzzy patch. It is easly resolved into numerous faint stars in binoculars, hence its popular name, the Beehive cluster. Although inconspicuous, the constellation gave its name to the Tropic of Cancer. In ancient times Cancer was where the Sun appeared at its maximum mid - day elevation at the time of the (northern) summer solstice. Because of the precession of the equinoxes the northern summer solstice now occurs when the Sun is in Taurus. However, the Tropic of Cancer is still so names, and is the line of latitude around the northern hemisphere where the Sun is directly overhead at local noon on the day of the summer solstice / Bridgeman Images
PIX4589875: Constellation of the Berenice Hair - Constellation of Coma Berenices - Map of the constellation of the Berenice Hair with its main Celestial objects. The Great Bear is indicated for the scale. Map showing the constellation of Coma Berenices with its main celestial objects. Constellation of Big Dipper is shown at scale / Bridgeman Images
LBY4589839: The flag of Japan has an inflatable alveoilar structure. World Exhibition, Shanghai, Japan, 2010. The theme of the Japan Pavilion is “Harmony of the Heart, Harmony of Technology””. Rainwater is recycled for example in the staff toilets, air is sucked and redisseminated inside the pavilion, via specific vents. Photography 23/05/10 / Bridgeman Images
PIX4589874: Constellation of the Berenice Hair - Constellation of Coma Berenices - The constellation of the Berenice Hair contains a cluster of stars, Melotte 111. Coma Berenice's (Berenices Hair) would be as insignificant as many of Lacaille's southern sky inventions if it were not for the subtle but distinctive Coma Star Cluster (Melotte 111), 270 light years away. The constellation's name alludes to the flowing hair of Queen Berenices of Egypt, allegedly cut off in gratitude for the safe return of her husband from some military escapade. This constellation was once considered to be part of Leo, where the hairy smudge of the open cluster was regarded as the tuft of the lion's tail. Melotte 111 is a large, open cluster of stars ranging between 5th magnitude (barely visible) to 10th magnitude, 100 times fainter. It extends over 5 degrees and despite the faintness of its constituent stars is clearly visible as a hazy patch in an otherwise undistinguished part of the sky. Coma is the direction of the north galactic pole, where we look beyond our galaxy through relatively few foreground stars. Had Melotte 111 been in the Milky Way it would be hard to see / Bridgeman Images
PIX4589198: Constellation of Belier - Constellation of Aries - Map of the constellation Belier with its main Celestial objects. The Great Bear is indicated for the scale. Map showing the constellation of Aries with its main celestial objects. Constellation of Big Dipper is shown at scale / Bridgeman Images
PIX4588813: Summer Triangle - Summer Triangle - The Summer Triangle is an asterism formed by the brilliant stars Deneb (in the Swan), Vega (right in the Lyre) and Altair (in the Eagle). Summer Triangle is an asterism made of three bright stars: Deneb (top in Cygnus, Vega (right in Lyra) and Altair (bottom in Aquila) / Bridgeman Images
PIX4589942: Constellation Constellation of Auriga - The brightest star in the constellation is Capella. Auriga (the Charioteer) is one of 48 constellations (out of the current 88) that were noted by Ptolemy (83 - 161 CE). It represents a chariot and its driver, a shepherd, with a goat or a sheep over his shoulder. The brightest star in Auriga is Capella, which is the ancient Greek word for little goat. It is a binary star 42 light years distant and is about 75 times more luminous than the Sun. Surprisingly, Capella is one of only two conspicuous stars whose combined light is similar to that of the Sun (the other is Alpha Centauri), so appears white on this photograph. Sun - like stars are common but are generally too faint to be seen at a distance which is why there are so few visible to the eye. Best seen in the early evening in February / Bridgeman Images
LBY4589960: The Holland Pavilion has the World Exhibition in Shanghai, China. The theme of the Netherlands pavilion is “the cheerful street”. The pavilion is made up of 17 different houses, each with a unique style demonstrating the Netherlands's innovation in space, energy and hydraulics. Architecture of John Kormeling 2010. Photography 23/05/10, Körmeling, John (b.1951) / Bridgeman Images