Nebulae in 3D

One of my posters at the UK National Astronomy Meeting was about using 3D to look at data in a different way. Whilst I was looking into 3D astronomy I came across lots of internet forums and sites where people are discussing 3D pictures of nebulae.

I thought I would share some of the best I found. I must stress that this is more art than science. The third dimension in these pictures is not real, it is inferred. Most are Hubble or other images that are manipulated – rather cleverly in my opinion – to make them 3D. They are pretty though.

These images are stereoscopic. You can view them by focussing in front of the screen (cross-eyes) using the left-hand and centre images; or by focussing beyond the screen (relaxed-eyes e.g. Magic Eye technique) using the centre and right-hand images.

M33

The Ant Nebula

Rosette Nebula

Part of the Orion Nebula

Dumbell Nebula

I have no credits for the pictures, if you know sources for any of them by all means let me know and I will add them in. Also, if you know of any more lying around the internet, just post a link in the comments.