Hydrogen Collection

Orion nebula. Coloured composite infrared and visible light image of the Orion nebula M42. This emission nebula, a cloud of gas and dust in which starbirth takes place

Orion nebula (M42), optical image. This is a huge starbirth region, where gas is coalescing to form new stars. Radiation from the hot young stars ionises the gases in the nebula

Crab nebula, composite image
Crab nebula. Composite x-ray, infrared and optical image of the Crab nebula (M1), a remnant of a supernova that exploded in AD 1054

Eagle Nebula. Optical image of the Eagle Nebula (M16, NGC 6611). This is an emission nebula, a cloud of gas that glows as the hydrogen gas it contains is ionised by radiation from the hot young stars

Diagram showing the spectral class and luminosity of stars. The diagram was named The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram, or the H-R diagram for short

H-He-Hg emission spectra C017 / 7260
H-He-Hg emission spectra. Graphical representation of the emission spectra lines for the elements hydrogen (H), helium (He) and mercury (Hg)

No! : Soviet poster, 1958, by Albert Aslyan
RUSSIA: ANTI-NUCLEAR, 1958. No! : Soviet poster, 1958, by Albert Aslyan

Orion nebula (M42 and M43)
Orion nebula. Hubble Space Telescope mosaic of the Orion nebula (M42; NGC 1976), which is 1500 light years away in the constellation Orion

1957 nuclear test: Fall-out
Fallout: The sinister and prolonged after-effect of nuclear explosions: a drawing illustrating some characteristics of this haunting phenomenon.An illustration by special Illustrated London News

American atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, 1946
ATOMIC BOMB TEST, 1946. American atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, 1946

Sulphur Well at Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales - a spa town, which grew up following the discovery of waters with amazing healing properties in 1732, by the Rev. Theophilus Evans

Residfiner at an oil refinery
Oil refinery. This is the residfiner area, where crude oil products are processed to remove any impurities, such as sulphur

Planets internal structures, and Pluto, computer artwork. Mercury, Mars and Venus consist of a large iron core (spherical), surrounded by a thick silicate mantle (yellow) covered in a surface crust

Naval personnel watch H-bomb test, Malden Island
British naval personnel in special protective clothing watch a thermonuclear H-bomb test over Malden Island in the central Pacific Ocean. Date: 1956

Threat of Zeppelin gas-bag or terror - which? 1915
Cartoon showing Kaisers head on the front of a Zeppelin airship, during World War One. German Zeppelins first successful raid was on the night of 1920 January 1915, in which two Zeppelins

The Horsehead Nebula in the constellation Orion

The first atomic explosion, 16 July 1945, in New Mexico
FIRST ATOMIC BOMB, 1945. The first atomic explosion, 16 July 1945, in New Mexico

Balloon ascent from the Tuileries Gardens, Paris
Balloon ascent of Charles and Robert from the Tuileries Gardens, Paris, the first voyage made in a hydrogen balloon. After sending off a trial hydrogen balloon, Charles designed

Antoine Lavoisier and wife, chemist
Antoine Laurent Lavoisier (1743-1794, centre left), French chemist, with his wife Marie-Anne- Pierrette (1758-1836) in his laboratory. Lavoisier is recognised as the founder of modern chemistry

Chemistry equipment, 19th century
Chemistry equipment. Engraving of various pieces of equipment used in chemistry experiments. Most are concerned with the isolation of gas or with producing acids

Barral & Bixios meteorological flight
On July 27, 1850, two French agronomists, Jacques Alexandre Bixio and Jean Augustin Barral, made an ascent by a hydrogen-filled balloon from the garden of the Paris Observatory

A valve mechanism of a hydrogen balloon
3585998 A valve mechanism of a hydrogen balloon; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a valve mechanism of a hydrogen balloon. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The making of a balloon's ascent from the Villette gas works in Paris, 19th century (engraving)
3732722 The making of a balloon's ascent from the Villette gas works in Paris, 19th century (engraving); (add.info.: Engraving depicting the making of a balloon's ascent from the Villette gas)

Henri Dupuy de Lome's hydrogen filled airship
3732601 Henri Dupuy de Lome's hydrogen filled airship; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Henri Dupuy de Lome's hydrogen filled airship. Henri Dupuy de Lome (1816-1885) a French naval architect

Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England
3732562 Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1839), an Italian aeronaut, making his first balloon ascent in England

A system of vanes for attaching to balloons so that ascents and descents could be made without discarding ballast or
3732726 A system of vanes for attaching to balloons so that ascents and descents could be made without discarding ballast or releasing gas; (add.info)

Giffard's 'Captive' hydrogen balloon
3732743 Giffard's 'Captive' hydrogen balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Giffard's Captive hydrogen balloon 'Captive' in the Cremorne Gardens, London)

A paying-out machinery and pulley of Giffard's 'Captive' hydrogen balloon
3732730 A paying-out machinery and pulley of Giffard's 'Captive' hydrogen balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a paying-out machinery)

A hydrogen generating machine
3732782 A hydrogen generating machine; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a hydrogen generating machine used in the inflating of military balloons. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Giffard's 'Captive' hydrogen balloon
3732744 Giffard's 'Captive' hydrogen balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Giffard's Captive hydrogen balloon 'Captive' in the Cremorne Gardens, London)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585988 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585987 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585982 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

Inflating balloon with hydrogen, produced by covering barrels of iron filings with sulphuric acid
533620 Inflating balloon with hydrogen, produced by covering barrels of iron filings with sulphuric acid and feeding gas into balloon

Giffard's method of anchoring a 'Captive' balloon
3732720 Giffard's method of anchoring a 'Captive' balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Giffard's method of anchoring a 'Captive' balloon)

Giffard's 'Captive' hydrogen balloon
3732714 Giffard's 'Captive' hydrogen balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Giffard's Captive hydrogen balloon 'Captive' at the Paris Exhibition)

A paying-out machinery and pulley of Giffard's 'Captive' hydrogen balloon
3732559 A paying-out machinery and pulley of Giffard's 'Captive' hydrogen balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a paying-out machinery)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585984 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1806) Italian aeronaut. Made the first hydrogen balloon ascent in Britain, Moorfields, London
530535 Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1806) Italian aeronaut. Made the first hydrogen balloon ascent in Britain, Moorfields, London, 15 September 1784

Balloon ascent from Gare du Nord, Paris, at night, to carry dispatches out of besieged city during Franco-Prussian War
530519 Balloon ascent from Gare du Nord, Paris, at night, to carry dispatches out of besieged city during Franco-Prussian War

Robert brothers helping JAC Charles (1746-1823) to inflate balloon with hydrogen produced by covering barrel of iron
533626 Robert brothers helping JAC Charles (1746-1823) to inflate balloon with hydrogen produced by covering barrel of iron filings with sulphuric acid

Jacques Charles' first successful flight in his hydrogen filled balloon
5312096 Jacques Charles' first successful flight in his hydrogen filled balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Jacques Charles' first successful flight in his hydrogen filled balloon)

A valve mechanism of a hydrogen balloon
3585991 A valve mechanism of a hydrogen balloon; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a valve mechanism of a hydrogen balloon. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

A balloon falling into the sea
3732769 A balloon falling into the sea; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a balloon falling into the sea. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England
3732563 Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1839), an Italian aeronaut, making his first balloon ascent in England

Vincenzo Lunardi, George Biggin, and Mrs Sage in a balloon
3732561 Vincenzo Lunardi, George Biggin, and Mrs Sage in a balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1839), an Italian aeronaut, his assistant George Biggin

Dutch cartoon, 1794, predicting ballooning in 1804. Chaotic scene as an attempt is made to get the balloon airborne
528657 Dutch cartoon, 1794, predicting ballooning in 1804. Chaotic scene as an attempt is made to get the balloon airborne

Lavoisier's apparatus for synthesizing water from hydrogen (left) and oxygen (right)
539942 Lavoisier's apparatus for synthesizing water from hydrogen (left) and oxygen (right). From Robert Routledge A Popular History of Science, London, 1881

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"Unveiling the Cosmic Powerhouse: Hydrogen's Mysteries Unraveled" In the vast expanse of space, amidst celestial wonders like the Orion Nebula (M42) and the Crab Nebula, hydrogen takes center stage as a captivating element. Its significance is revealed in a composite image showcasing its role in shaping these stellar marvels. As we explore further, we encounter the breathtaking Eagle Nebula, where hydrogen fuels star formation with its immense energy. A diagram illustrating spectral class and luminosity of stars showcases how hydrogen plays a pivotal role in determining their characteristics. From H-He-Hg emission spectra C017/7260 to Soviet poster art from 1958 by Albert Aslyan boldly proclaiming "No. " to nuclear weapons' destructive power, hydrogen's influence extends beyond cosmic realms. Returning our gaze to Orion Nebula (M42 and M43), we witness hydrogen's brilliance illuminating this interstellar cloud with vibrant hues. However, not all encounters with this versatile element are peaceful; it reminds us of humanity's past actions through images of nuclear tests like the 1957 fallout or American atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946. It also finds its place on Earth – from Sulphur Well at Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales to an oil refinery's residfiner – highlighting its importance for various industrial processes. It symbolizes both progress and caution as we harness its potential while being mindful of environmental consequences. As we delve deeper into understanding this elemental powerhouse, one thing becomes clear: Hydrogen holds secrets that continue to captivate scientists and stargazers alike. Whether it be unraveling mysteries within nebulae or unlocking innovative solutions for sustainable energy sources on Earth, hydrogen remains an enigmatic force that sparks curiosity and awe across galaxies far and near.