Bubbles and Arcs in NGC 2359
Explanation:
What caused the bubbles and arcs in NGC 2359?
The main suspect is the
Wolf-Rayet star
in the center of one of the bubbles - visible slightly below and
to the right of the center of the
above photograph.
Most Wolf-Rayet stars are known to be massive, highly luminous
stars that continually cast off material in a stellar wind - which
commonly form
bubbles
in the
interstellar medium.
But the
unusual structure of the NGC 2359 arcs
indicate
something
more complex
is going on. Is the star moving
supersonically?
Is there another energetic star in the vicinity? Future observations
may give more pieces to this picturesque puzzle.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
