Energy News  
SPACE SCOPES
Hubble Snaps Images Of A Nebula Within A Cluster

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.

Share This Article With Planet Earth
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit
YahooMyWebYahooMyWeb GoogleGoogle FacebookFacebook



Related Links
 NGC 2818 at Hubble
 Space Telescope News and Technology at Skynightly.com


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.






ENERGY TECH
  • Terra-Gen Power Buys Renewable Energy Projects From Airstream Energy
  • Analysis: Ukraine's Soviet energy legacy
  • Xcel Energy Announces All-Source Generation RFP For Its Colorado Customers
  • Analysis: Nigerian forces kill gang leader

    • CIVIL NUCLEAR
  • Germany reports damage at nuclear waste storage site
  • Progress Energy Florida Signs Contract For New, Advanced-Design Nuclear Plant
  • Japan eyes restarting controversial 'dream nuclear reactor'
  • Slovakia postpones reactivating nuclear reactor

    • BLUE SKY
  • Does Global Warming Lead To A Change In Upper Atmospheric Transport
  • Greenhouse gas emissions study released
  • Research Into Fair-Weather Clouds Important In Climate Predictions
  • ESA Tests Laser To Measure Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

    • WOOD PILE
  • Philippines orders South Korean firm to design hotel around trees
  • Experts plead to save tropical forests in peril
  • Canada's forests not helping environment
  • Scam artists sell 'forest' lands in barren northern China

    • FARM NEWS
  • China couple first to take milk payout: state media
  • New Tool To Fast-Track Genetic Gain In Sheep
  • Indonesia to allow trawling despite overfishing fears
  • Climate Change And Food Supplies

    • CAR TECH
  • Ford starts making Fiesta in China
  • No flying cars at this year's Detroit auto show
  • China's BYD to bring plug-in hybrid, electric cars to US in 2011
  • Recession got you down? Buy a hybrid

    • AEROSPACE
  • Heathrow expansion to get green light despite protests: reports
  • Cathay defers completion of new cargo terminal due to downturn
  • Britons sign up to own land earmarked for Heathrow expansion
  • Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's skycar

    • NUCLEAR SPACE
  • Nuclear Power In Space - Part 2
  • Nuclear Power In Space
  • Outside View: Nuclear future in space

    • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.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 SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement