Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Planetary nebulae usually contain larger proportions of elements such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, and these are recycled into the interstellar medium via these powerful winds.
There are believed to be about 20,000 objects called planetary nebulae in the Milky Way Galaxy, each representing gas expelled relatively recently from a central star very late in its evolution. Because of the obscuration of dust in the Galaxy, only about 3,500 planetary nebulae have been cataloged.
Gravity and other influences shape the cloud into interesting patterns, and the complex chemicals inside the nebula glow in interesting colors when lit by the white dwarf. As a result, we often name planetary nebulas for the way they look to us: the Ring Nebula, the Dumbbell Nebula, the Stingray Nebula, and so forth.
Spotted by Charles Messier in 1764, Messier 27, also referred to as the Dumbbell Nebula, was the first planetary nebula ever discovered. The term “planetary nebula” is a bit of a misnomer based on the nebula’s round, planet-like appearance when viewed through smaller telescopes.
The following is an incomplete list of known planetary nebulae. Image Name Messier Catalogue [a] NGC [a] Other designation [a] Date discovered [a] Distance [a] [b] Apparent magnitude (visual) [a] Constellation [a] Glowing Eye Nebula or Dandelion Puffball Nebula: NGC 6751: 1863 6.5 11.9 Aquila: Turtle Nebula: NGC 6210: 1825 4.7 9.3 Hercules:
Planetary Nebula A planetary nebula is a region of cosmic gas and dust formed from the cast-off outer layers of a dying star. Despite their name, planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets.
Planetary Science; Astrophysics & Space Science; The Sun & Heliophysics; Biological & Physical Sciences; Lunar Science; Citizen Science; Astromaterials; Aeronautics Research; Human Space Travel Research
Planetary Nebula M57, or the Ring Nebula, is a planetary nebula, the glowing remains of a sun-like star. The tiny white dot in the center of the nebula is the star’s hot core, called a white dwarf.
A planetary nebula (Helix Nebula) Low-mass stars turn into planetary nebulae towards the end of their red giant phase. At that point, the star becomes highly unstable and starts to pulsate. This produces strong stellar winds, which throw off the outer layers of the star.
What is a planetary nebula? A planetary nebula is created when a star blows off its outer layers after it has run out of fuel to burn. These outer layers of gas expand into space, forming a nebula which is often the shape of a ring or bubble.