I now get ESE and NASA updates straight to my inbox, this means I can share some amazing pictures like this week of picture updats from ESA.
Probing a glowing bubble of gas and dust encircling a dying star, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveals a wealth of previously unseen structures. The object, called NGC 2371, is a planetary nebula, the glowing remains of a Sun-like star. The remnant star visible at the centre of NGC 2371 is the super-hot core of the former red giant, now stripped of its outer layers. Its surface temperature is a scorching 240,000 degrees Fahrenheit. NGC 2371 lies about 4,300 light-years away in the constellation Gemini. The Hubble image reveals several remarkable features, most notably the prominent pink clouds lying on opposite sides of the central star. This colour indicates that they are relatively cool and dense, compared to the rest of the gas in the nebula. Also striking are the numerous, very small pink dots, marking relatively dense and small knots of gas, which also lie on diametrically opposite sides of the star. These features appear to represent the ejection of gas from the star along a specific direction. The jet’s direction has changed with time over the past few thousand years. The reason for this behavior is not well understood, but might be related to the possible presence of a second star orbiting the visible central star. A planetary nebula is an expanding cloud of gas ejected from a star that is nearing the end of its life. The nebula glows because of ultraviolet radiation from the hot remnant star at its centre. In only a few thousand years the nebula will dissipate into space. The central star will then gradually cool down, eventually becoming a white dwarf, the final stage of evolution for nearly all stars. The Hubble picture of NGC 2371 is a false-color image, prepared from exposures taken through filters that detect light from sulfur and nitrogen (red), hydrogen (green), and oxygen (blue). These images were taken with Hubble’s Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 in November 2007, as part of the Hubble Heritage program.
Enjoy!
No ownership claimed on images
Simon 🙂
Please share and make my day:
Related
Published by Simon
My name is Simon and I create stories and art and pictures. Things just come to me, ideas and expressions and that what my blogs are about. My spaces to express and reach out to the world.
View all posts by Simon
How do you get the updates to your inbox? These photos are stunning
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll find the place to go to sign up for you. I found it by accident if I remember.
LikeLike
Here you go my friend: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNASA/subscriber/new
LikeLiked by 1 person
UH MAZE ING – you’re my hero 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nah – you’re mine xo
LikeLike
Those are WONDERFUL ……earth is just gorgeous isn’t it tho?…I mean look at Hawaii
LikeLiked by 1 person
Earth is gorgeous… That Hawaii shot is amazing. You been OK lately? Not seen you much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Simon …yes fine I guess …trying to remain disciplined and keep blogging to weekends only:D:D:D
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trying? Does that mean it’s not working completely? 😝
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep having the odd read at night …like now ..anyway sleep time …night night:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Night catch you soon! 😃
LikeLike
Beauty & Majesty. Thanks for taking the time to share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are so cool!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I’m glad you think so! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, awesome photos again, Simon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great aren’t they?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Breathtaking!
LikeLiked by 1 person