Hubble Snaps Images Of A Nebula Within A Cluster

SPACE SCOPES

The unique planetary nebula NGC 2818 is nested inside the open star cluster NGC 2818A. Both the cluster and the nebula reside over 10,000 light-years away, in the southern constellation Pyxis (the Compass). This Hubble image was taken in November 2008 with the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2. The colors in the image represent a range of emissions coming from the clouds of the nebula: red represents nitrogen, green represents hydrogen, and blue represents oxygen. Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

by Staff Writers
Baltimore MD (SPX) Jan 19, 2009
The unique planetary nebula NGC 2818 is nested inside the open star cluster NGC 2818A. Both the cluster and the nebula reside over 10,000 light-years away, in the southern constellation Pyxis (the Compass).

NGC 2818 is one of very few planetary nebulae in our galaxy located within an open cluster. Open clusters, in general, are loosely bound and they disperse over hundreds of millions of years. Stars that form planetary nebulae typically live for billions of years. Hence, it is rare that an open cluster survives long enough for one of its members to form a planetary nebula. This open cluster is particularly ancient, estimated to be nearly one billion years old.

The spectacular structure of NGC 2818 (also known as PLN 261+8.1) contains the outer layers of a sun-like star that were sent off into interstellar space during the star's final stages of life. These glowing gaseous shrouds were shed by the star after it ran out of fuel to sustain the nuclear reactions in its core.

Planetary nebulae can have extremely varied structures. NGC 2818 has a complex shape that is difficult to interpret. However, because of its location within the cluster, astronomers have access to information about the nebula, such as its age and distance, which might not otherwise be known.

Planetary nebulae fade away gradually over tens of thousands of years. The hot, remnant stellar core of NGC 2818 will eventually cool off for billions of years as a white dwarf. Our own sun will undergo a similar process, but not for another 5 billion years or so.

This Hubble image was taken in November 2008 with the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2. The colors in the image represent a range of emissions coming from the clouds of the nebula: red represents nitrogen, green represents hydrogen, and blue represents oxygen.

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS
Solar Energy Solutions
Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ...

Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News

SPACE SCOPES

Hubble Telescope To Get One More During International Year Of Astronomy

Seattle WA (SPX) Jan 03, 2009
From troubled beginnings nearly 18 years ago, the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionized astronomy and its stunning images have stirred the imaginations of people around the globe.

AEROSPACE Nations demand climate plan from air, maritime industries Cathay defers completion of new cargo terminal due to downturn Heathrow expansion to get green light despite protests: reports Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's skycar	CAR TECH Over 91,000 killed in China in accidents in 2008: report Ford starts making Fiesta in China China 2008 auto sales growth slows to eight percent: state media Recession got you down? Buy a hybrid
MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS Australia Chips In A Spare Quarter For Boeing Wideband Global SATCOM Bird Boeing Completes Critical Design Review For FAB-T Software-Defined Radio Boeing Increases Capability Of On-Orbit US Navy Satellite Boeing Develops Common Software To Reduce Risk For TSAT	MISSILE DEFENSE Pratt And Whitney To Power Kinetic Interceptors Obama Set To Continue Doctrine Shift In Nuclear Defense Part One Pentagon denies missile defense sales talks with India BMD Watch: New missile for S-400 Triumf
FARM NEWS Kenya khat traders eye Chinese market Insect plague devours Liberian crops New Tool To Fast-Track Genetic Gain In Sheep China couple first to take milk payout: state media	DISASTER MANAGEMENT As lightning deaths soar, Cambodians look to superstition Australia boosts aid to flood-ravaged Fiji Purdue Terrestrial Observatory Central To NATO-Funded Tracking Project Can Nature's Leading Indicators Presage Environmental Disaster
TECH SPACE Raytheon Sensor Passes Space Simulation Test Next Generation Cloaking Device Demonstrated Lockheed Martin Begins Key Test Of First SBIRS Geo Satellite With New Flight Software Solving The Mysteries Of Metallic Glass	ROBO SPACE Japan researchers unveil robot suit for farmers Will GI Roboman Replace GI Joe Marshall Sponsors Four Student Teams In FIRST Robotics Competitions Jump Like A Grasshopper

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement