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Credit & Copyright: R. Corradi, M. Santander-Garcia
(Isaac Newton Group,
IAC),
Bruce Balick (U. Washington)
Explanation:
Exploring
the myriad shapes found in the
cosmic zoo of
planetary
nebulae, some astronomers have focused on the
intriguing example of M2-9.
About 2,100 light-years away and over one light-year across,
M2-9
is known as a twin jet or
butterfly nebula in reference to its
striking
bipolar symmetry.
Monitoring
M2-9 over many years from ground based telescopes
has revealed the dramatic west to east (left to right)
progression of features illustrated in this collage.
The apparent motion could well be caused by an energetic
rotating beam sweeping across the nebular material.
Astronomers argue
that the beam is collimated by interacting
stellar winds in a double star system at the center of M2-9.
The binary system of a
giant star and hot white dwarf
star orbit each
other about once every 120 years.
Click on the image to watch an animated gif of M2-9.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: butterfly nebula - planetary nebula - binary star
Publications with words: butterfly nebula - planetary nebula - binary star
See also:
- The Medusa Nebula
- Jones Emberson 1
- APOD: 2024 February 12 Á HFG1 & Abell 6: Planetary Nebulae
- APOD: 2023 December 24 Á NGC 2440: Cocoon of a New White Dwarf
- APOD: 2023 October 3 Á MyCn 18: The Engraved Hourglass Planetary Nebula
- NGC 1360: The Robin's Egg Nebula
- APOD: 2023 April 16 Á M2 9: Wings of a Butterfly Nebula