Mac OS X Nebula Background Origins?

[King Mook Mook]

Hi Everyone,
I have been wondering how Apple got the Nebula backgrounds (the ones in Leopard and Snow Leopard) and by that I mean how were they made and just generally how they got them. This may sound really noobish or silly but I am just curious and I find this stuff interesting (nerd, I know). So if you could help it would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
King Mook Mook

P.S. Here are the backgrounds if you did not know about them: Leopard: http://www.1stclasswallpapers.com/backgrounds/computer_and_internet/image/mac_os_x_leopard_space.jpg
Snow Leopard: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3434/3818728734_dbc0b063f1.jpg

 

[Skweeky]

They look like processed images of the Orion nebula to me, an example of which can be found here...

http://kamikaze00x.deviantart.com/art/Orion-Nebula-119415482

 

[miles01110]

I don't think they're images of real celestial objects, but they do seem inspired by a nebula.

 

[MWithersIT]

They look like processed images of the Orion nebula to me, an example of which can be found here...

http://kamikaze00x.deviantart.com/art/Orion-Nebula-119415482

It is in fact the same ORION Nebula, and i subconsciously chose it to be enhanced by this guy (link below)... then saw the video and went, HA! thats the NEBULA that i submitted!!!

http://interfacelift.com/wallpaper/details/1881/the_orion_nebula.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DSXz9xst5k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acI5coqyg0I&feature=fvst