Sting rays miles apart

Below is the Stingray Nebula captured by the Hubble Space Telescope (image from NASA). The bright central star is in the middle of the green ring of gas. Its companion star is diagonally above it at 10 o'clock. The colors shown are actual colors emitted by nitrogen (red), oxygen (green) and hydrogen (blue). The nebula is as large as 130 solar systems and at a distance of 18,000 light-years.

Much closer is Stingray City here in Grand Cayman. It is located in the shallow waters east of the northwest corner of Grand Cayman. According to local legend stingrays began gathering in the area many years ago when fisherman would clean their catch in the calm water of the shallows and sand bar area. Over time the stingrays began to associate the sound of a boat engine with a free meal. Not unsurpringly: friendly sting rays = major tourist attraction.

I should note that sting rays can be seen all around Grand Cayman. The other day while swimming just 20 meters off shore and no more than 200 meters from where we live, a sting ray passed under me.