NGC 3242: The 'Ghost of Jupiter' Planetary Nebula
Explanation:
It's a
weed,
it's
Jupiter, no it's - actually planetary
nebula NGC 3242. After a star like our
Sun
completes fusion in its core, it throws off its outer layers it
a striking display called a planetary nebula.
NGC
3242
is such a planetary nebula, with the stellar remnant
white
dwarf star
visible at the center. This nebula is sometimes called "The
Ghost of Jupiter" for its similar appearance to the familiar
planet. NGC 3242 is much farther away however, than the measly
40 light-minutes distance to
Jupiter.
In fact, by comparing the apparent expansion rate with the actual
rate determined from
Doppler
studies,
astronomers
have estimated
the distance to NGC 3242 to be about 1400 light-years away. The
red FLIERs
visible near the edges of the nebula remain mysterious.
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.
