NGC 2440: Cocoon of a New White Dwarf

Bild Note: 0 (0 Votes)

⏴ previous	Bild Upload von 18.02.2016 21:43	next ⏵
zorg.ch #86615 by [z]Barbara Harris @ 08.05.2006 00:00 - nach oben - NGC 2440: Cocoon of a New White Dwarf Explanation: Like a butterfly, a white dwarf star begins its life by casting off a cocoon that enclosed its former self. In this analogy, however, the >Sun would be a caterpillar and the ejected shell of gas would become the prettiest of all! In the above cocoon, the >planetary nebula designated NGC 2440, contains one of the hottest white dwarf stars known. The white dwarf can be seen as the bright dot near the photo's center. >Our Sun will eventually become a "white dwarf butterfly", but not for another 5 billion years. The above false color image was post-processed by Forrest Hamilton. Credit & Copyright