The Calabash Nebula from Hubble
Explanation:
Fast expanding gas clouds mark the end for a
central star in the
Calabash Nebula.
The once-normal star has run out of
nuclear fuel, causing the central regions
to contract into a
white dwarf.
Some of the liberated energy causes the outer envelope of the star to expand.
In this case, the result is a photogenic
proto-planetary nebula.
As the million-kilometer per hour gas rams into the surrounding
interstellar gas, a
supersonic
shock front forms where
ionized hydrogen and
nitrogen glow blue.
Thick gas and
dust hide the dying central star.
The Calabash Nebula,
also known as the
Rotten Egg Nebula and OH231.8+4.2,
will likely develop into a full
bipolar planetary nebula
over the next 1000 years.
The nebula, featured here,
is about 1.4 light-years in extent and located about 5000
light-years away toward the
constellation of
Puppis.
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.
