The X-Ray Universe: Chandra X-Ray Space Observatory Pictures. Mufon. Secret UFO files released. Flying sorcery ... one of the restricted documents, now released. Photo: National Archives of Australia It is probably the closest Australia has come to scrambling fighter jets to intercept a UFO. Documents that have just become available under the 30-year rule at the National Archives of Australia reveal how two RAAF Mirage jets were placed on the second highest level of alert to determine the cause of unidentified radar contacts seen on screens at Mascot. The ''X Files'' viewed in Canberra also give details of other unexplained sightings, some of which are supported by witness statements to police. Mysterious ... a colour-enhanced photo of a UFO seen from Bendigo.
In the Sydney alert, the papers stamped ''restricted'' tell how operation ''Close Encounter'' was launched by No.3 Control and Reporting Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle on June 30, 1983, after the phenomenon was first noticed earlier in the month. Advertisement Squadron leader K. Stars Burst Into Being in Spectacular 'Running Chicken' Nebula. An avid astrophotographer tries to answer the question, "Why did the chicken cross the nebula? " in this spectacular photo. Stargazer Angus Lau captured this image of IC2944, also known as the Running Chicken Nebula, in April 2012 from Warrumbungle Observatory in Coonabarabran, Australia. Some observers see the likeness of a chicken running from left to right with the tip of its beak at the brightest star in this cosmic cloud.
This very faint nebula lies in the in the large southern constellation of Centaurus (The Centaur) about 6,500 light-years from Earth. (A light-year is the distance light travels in one year — about 6 trillion miles, or 10 trillion kilometers.) The reddish hue of this nebula indicates that IC2944 is a star-forming region where hot, glowing hydrogen gas produces newborn stars.
Editor's note: If you have an amazing night sky photo you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, please contact managing editor Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com. Spiral Galaxy, Supernovas Shown In ESO PHOTO Of NGC 1187. Hubble Captures View of 'Mystic Mountain'Hubble's 20th anniversary image shows a mountain of dust and gas rising in the Carina Nebula. The top of a three-light-year tall pillar of cool hydrogen is being worn away by the radiation of nearby stars, while stars within the pillar unleash jets of gas that stream from the peaks. Credit: NASA, ESA, and M. Livio and the Hubble 20th Anniversary Team (STScI)ACS Image of NGC 5866Credit: NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) Acknowledgment: W. Keel (University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa)Giant "Twisters" in the Lagoon NebulaCredit: A. Caulet (ST-ECF, ESA) and NASAThe Spirograph Nebula (IC 418)Credit: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) Acknowledgment: Dr.