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Credit & Copyright:
Explanation:
The first hint of what will become of our Sun was discovered inadvertently in 1764.
At that time, Charles Messier was compiling a list of
"annoying" diffuse objects not to be confused with
"interesting" comets. The 27th object on
Messier's list,
now known as M27 or the
Dumbbell Nebula, is a
planetary nebula,
the type of nebula our
Sun will produce when
nuclear fusion stops in its core. M27 is one of the brightest
planetary nebulae on the sky, and
can be seen in the constellation
Vulpecula with binoculars.
It takes light about 1000 years to reach us from M27.
Understanding the physics and significance of M27 was well beyond 18th century science.
Even today, many things remain mysterious about
bipolar planetary nebula
like M27, including the physical mechanism that
expels a low-mass star's gaseous outer-envelope,
leaving an
X-ray hot
white dwarf.
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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: M 27 - planetary nebula - dumbbell nebula - Messier catalog
Publications with words: M 27 - planetary nebula - dumbbell nebula - Messier catalog
See also: