The painting captures a small region on the edge of the inky Coalsack Nebula, or Caldwell 99. Caldwell 99 is a dark nebula — a dense cloud of interstellar dust that completely blocks out visible wavelengths of light from objects behind it. The object at the center of the image is a (much smaller) protoplanetary nebula.

Pareidolia: the ability to see shapes in the cosmos, can you find Salvador Dali in the inky blue nebula? At its heart is a proto-planetary nebula-a reminder that even in darkness, creation stirs. A reflection of our spiritual path, from shadow to light, transformation is always unfolding in and around us.

DREAMY NOTES Acrylic on Canvas 12 x 12 x 1.5 in (30.5 x 30.5 x 1.8 cm) $500.00

Do you see Salvador Dali?

Hidden in the inky blue nebula?

Caldwell 99 is a very prominent object in the southern night sky. On a clear night, it can be spotted easily with the naked eye as a dark patch, void of stars, next to the Southern Cross in the constellation Crux.

A stone image of Crux constellation has been found in Machu Picchu in Peru. The Inca knew the constellation as Chakana, which means “the stair.” The Maori called it Te Punga, or “the anchor.”

In Australian Aboriginal astronomy, the cross asterism and the Coalsack Nebula represent the head of the Emu in the Sky. The Southern Cross is represented on the Australian flag. Its stars are also featured on the flag of Brazil, where the asterism is known as Cruzeiro, or Cruzeiro do Sul. The Southern Cross is also mentioned in the Brazilian national anthem and used to be the name of the currency between 1942 and 1986 and again between 1990 and 1994.

CRUX Is the smallest constellation in the night sky with a total area of only 68 square degrees, although this does not detor its importance European sailors linked it to Christian symbolism, while Indigenous Austrians have a rice lore, seeing it as an eagles foot or a possum.

Name Origin: "Crux" is Latin for "cross," directly referencing its visual appearance

Shape: The four bright stars create a recognizable cross or kite shape, though some note it's an irregular cross

Galatic Location: Crux Constellation

Celestial Phenomenon: Coalsack Nebula

Collection: 88 Constellations