#gas cloud

The above image features a new type of astronomical object which astronomers have nicknamed Cloud-9 and is actually a starless, gas-rich, dark matter cloud- a remnant of early galaxy formation. This phenomenon has been named a Reionization-Limited H I Cloud or “RELHIC” (H I standing for neutral hydrogen).

Most of the universe’s mass is thought to be dark matter, but it is difficult to detect it because of its lack of light emission. Cloud-9 gives astronomers a rare look at a cloud dominated by dark matter. The diffuse magenta is radio data collected from the ground-based Very Large Array (VLA). The circle is the peak of the radio emission and where the search for stars was focused. The objects that appear within its boundaries are background galaxies.

Before Hubble, ground based telescopes only allowed scientists to think that this was a faint dwarf galaxy whose stars could not be seen. However, thanks to Hubble, it can be seen for what it really is.

It is thought that RELHICs are dark matter clouds that couldn’t accumulate enough gas from stars. The cloud may eventually form a galaxy in the future if it grows more massive, however how that would occur is under speculation.

It is located on the outskirts of a nearby spiral galaxy (M94) and is about 14 million lights years from Earth.

Photographed on July 11, 2023—the Fagradalsfjall Volcano's gas cloud stretches over the Litli-Hrútur mountain and is illuminated at sunset. Smoke from nearby lava-ignited moss fires blow into the valley below.

So I’ve been seduced by resin and watching far too many space videos and Hubble images of nebula.  I already love using light in my work so I wanted to produce something that looked like a cloud of gas creating new stars within.  A star nursery.  It’s taken me months of trial and error.

At first glance it may seem like I’ve just dumped a ton of glitter and pigment powder into resin and given it a stir.  I wish it was that easy.  These have to be made in layers but hard level lines look artificial.  So I swish and swirl the resin around until it cures chaotically adding tiny amounts of powder and glitter teasing out tendrils of colour and flashes of iridescence.  I use a flattened toothpicks for the job. 

The next step was creating the look of stars forming within the cloud.  Enter fibre optics.  I cut and bundle the strands sealing them together with resin.  I then bend them out into all directions.  Finally I cut them down to fit into the mold. At some point I insert them into the resin being careful to set the main bunch into the central point of the mold. In some designs the threads are obvious - in others I’ve hidden the bunch using dark pigments.

At this point I have a sphere of resin with a fiber optic “stalk” sticking out.  I paint the last layer black and wait for it to dry.  I then cut down the stalk and drill it down flush to the resin.  The light is produced by a tiny LED widget.  Some pieces have static white light that I’ve dyed.  In others I’ve used a rotating RGB colour LEDs.  I seal the end and set it in another layer of resin.  Fortunately they have a handy ring that also makes it easy to turn on and off with a simple twist.  It takes three LR621 batteries equivalent to 364, AG1, SR621SW.  

I’ve had trouble uploading the videos so I’ll re-shoot tonight for an acceptable file size and format for Tumblr.  Unfortunately trying to photograph these spheres is very difficult.  They are glass and very shiny. You can’t see the depth and complexity in a photo.  Maybe I need a new camera with a good macro setting.  

It’s terrifying releasing a new product so different from my normal work.  Are these steampunk?  Not really but I hope my work transcends a genre.  I want to take light from tacky novelty jewellery into an art product for adults to wear that will amaze and wonder.  That is my goal with these.  I’ve made several of them so they will dominate my feed in the next weeks.  I hope you don’t get sick of seeing them.  It’s fantastic using colour again but it’s been a serious financial investment in resin, pigments, equipment, exotic glitters/sequins/foils, molds and LED lights.  Some I had to buy in serious bulk.  It’s impossible to calculate the hours I’ve spent creating and perfecting these.

I’ve used three different width sizes: 20mm (0.86in), 25mm (1in) and 30mm (1.2in).  I haven’t put a chain on some of them.  I will give options in type of chain or cord and drop length to buyers. Some may prefer no chain.  I’m also thinking about creating a stand turning it into a unique ornament when not being worn.  I’m also hoping, as my technique improves, to replicate specific nebula like the famous “Pillars of Creation” image captured by Hubble.  

Some may not see any “space” reference.  Friends have called certain pieces “an ice cave”, “underwater scene” and “storm clouds with lightening”.  

The hyper-drive won't fully engage because of the cloud, but maybe it doesn't have to. If I can dial down the power flow from the hyper-drive emitter, theoretically I should be able to create a partial shift into hyperspace, essentially taking the ship out of the cloud's space-time. Hopefully just enough to eliminate its effects on the sub-light engines.