Emission Nebulae
A gas nebula powered by a Wolf-Rayet star in the center. The star has ejected several times the mass of the sun into the surrounding gas remaining from the formation of the star only several million years ago. The star is more than 20 times as massive as the sun and has almost burned its fuel. In about a million years from now it will go supernova providing a spectacular firework.
Read more “NGC 6888”
Galaxies
These two object accidentally fit into one frame. On the bottom the Owl Nebula, a planetary nebula 2000 light years away, on the top the so called Surfboard Galaxy 40 million light yeras away. Quite a difference …
Read more “M97, M108 (The Owl and the Surfboard)”
Planetary Nebulae
A Planetary Nebula in constellation Gemini about 1500 light years from earth. At first it was thought to be a Supernova remnant, but more recent measurements of the expansion velocity suggest it to be more likely a Planetary Nebula. These are the outer shells of a sun-like star which have been expelled at the end of the active live of the star.
Read more “SH 2-274 (Medusa Nebula)”