Hold the cosmos in your hands.
Before the days of high-speed internet, the best way to see the latest robotic exploration images from the Viking and Voyager missions was to write to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and ask for a press packet. We've recreated that thrilling, tactile experience with our exclusive line of high-quality physical photo prints.
This 8.5" x 11" print features NGC 1491 - The Fossil Footprint Nebula. Located roughly 10,000 light-years away in the constellation Perseus, NGC 1491 is a glowing cloud of star-forming gas affectionately known as the Fossil Footprint Nebula! The brilliant red glow comes from a massive abundance of hydrogen gas that is being superheated by a single, blistering-hot star located right near the "heel" of the footprint. This incredibly powerful central star is emitting fierce, high-speed stellar winds that are actively pushing the surrounding gas away. As these winds blast outward, they carve a hollowed-out bubble into the dense cloud, sculpting the glowing outer edges into the shape of a giant cosmic footprint stepping across the night sky!
Produced on premium one-sided gloss paper, this piece delivers stunning clarity and vibrant colors on the front. On the reverse side, you'll find an engaging scientific description of this region, along with the exact Bracken Observatory equipment and exposure specs used to capture the shot—including 5 hours and 39 minutes of total exposure time using our RASA 11" telescope—just like the classic JPL media packets of the 1980s.
Whether you're an educator looking for engaging classroom materials, a parent sharing the wonders of the universe with your kids, or an astronomy enthusiast wanting a beautiful physical print to frame, this is the perfect way to experience the cosmos away from a screen.
Product Details:
-
Dimensions: 8.5" x 11" (Standard Letter Size)
-
Material: Premium one-sided gloss photo paper
-
Features: High-resolution image on the front; science facts, shot specs, and an interactive QR code to the online showroom on the back
🔭 From the Desk of Paul Bracken:
"The Fossil Footprint is a brilliant example of how dynamic the cosmos really is. It isn't just a static cloud of gas; you are literally looking at a central star violently blasting a bubble into space and sculpting the hydrogen around it. Putting nearly 6 hours of exposure time on this with the RASA 11 really brought out that deep, superheated red glow. Holding this physical print really lets you trace the intricate edges of the 'footprint' in a way that just pops off the paper."
