Violent Stellar Nursery
This is one of the areas of the nebula NGC 2174, first photographed in 2014, known as Monkey Head Nebula. It is a violent stellar nursery, with an abundance of all the ingredients necessary to form new stars. Its vibrantly colorful plumes of gas and fiery stars create beautiful pictures.
Gaze Of The Nebula
In the velvet cloak of night, a visage stirs,
A monkey’s face formed in cosmic blurs.
Gas clouds whisper secrets, ethereal and bright,
Stars twinkle like laughter, igniting the night.
Crimson and azure dance in a swirling embrace,
A celestial tapestry, time’s gentle trace.
What stories are hidden in this vibrant hue?
Of ancient worlds dreaming, of life breaking through.
Eyes that watch from a nebula vast,
Reflecting the echoes of the universe’s past.
Imagination soars where knowledge falls short,
In the heart of the cosmos, a wondrous report.
In this cosmic canvas, we search for our place,
Finding connections in the stars’ silent grace.
The Monkey Head whispers, “Look up and see,
In the expanse of the heavens, you’re part of the mystery.”
Stephanie Wallen, Caltech ‘28
Insights
I realized how creative writing about science can be.
| Fields the author associated with the art | Philosophy |
Worthy
Under the dark midnight skies,
a beautiful, complex galaxy lies,
made of a mix of light, gas, and dust,
pointing to the One who we can trust
Nebulas bloom and planets spin.
All of it worshiping and glorifying Him.
Coming together to form a choir
and sing praises that never tire.
He creates life from a mere touch.
To this majesty, I will forever clutch.
If the galaxies shout of His power,
so will I lift my voice, even louder
Glorifying God in the heavens forever,
it is my life endeavor.
For the rest of my days I will try.
Still, the sum of our reverence would fall shy.
Kathryn Serra, Harvard ‘27
Insights
The transcendence of God
| Fields the author associated with the art | Religion |
Nebula’s Lullaby
In the cradle of the cosmos, a nebula turns, its colors like tendrils reaching to us,
Swirling colors of birth in a starry haze,
Silent symphony of creation, whispers so bright,
Crafting constellations in the never-ending night.
Lina Elattar
Insights
I wrote what came from inspiration.
| Fields the author associated with the art | N/A |