Iron in the Butterfly Nebula
Explanation:
Can stars, like caterpillars, transform themselves into butterflies?
No, but in the case of the
Butterfly
Nebula -- it sure looks like it.
Though its wingspan covers over 3
light-years
and its estimated surface temperature exceeds 200,000 degrees,
C,
the dying central star of NGC 6302, the featured
planetary nebula,
has become exceptionally hot, shining brightly in
visible and
ultraviolet
light but hidden from
direct view by a dense torus of dust.
This sharp close-up was recorded by the
Hubble
Space Telescope and is reprocessed here to show off the remarkable
details of the complex
planetary nebula, highlighting
in particular light emitted by
iron, shown in red.
NGC 6302
lies about 4,000 light-years away in the
arachnologically
correct constellation of the Scorpion
(
Scorpius).
Planetary nebulas
evolve from outer atmospheres of
stars like our
Sun,
but usually fade in about 20,000 years.
Great Debates in Astronomy:
2020: How will humanity first discover extraterrestrial life?
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.
