shimmering colors in this new image show off the remarkable complexity of the
planetary nebula PN M 2-9 better known as the twin jet nebula the
new view from Hubble highlights the nebulas shells and knots of expanding
gas in striking detail
planetary nebulae have been the subjects of some of Hubble's most stunning images
despite their name these picturesque objects have nothing to do with planets
the early astronomers observing them knew they weren't planets they didn't
move across the sky but they were given the name as they resembled distant
planets in the telescope's of the day
when better telescopes came along astronomers were able to see their more
intricate structure and reveal their true nature they are huge shells of gas
formed when sun-like stars run out of fuel and throw off their outer layers
these shells are then heated up ionized and illuminated by the fierce
ultraviolet radiation from the Stars hot core which remains at the nebulas heart
resulting in spectacular light shows like the one seen here
these nebulae glow in all manner of beautiful colors due to the presence of
different gases the famous ring nebula for example glows in vibrant blue greens
reds and oranges caused by regions of glowing oxygen hydrogen as nitrogen the
twin jet nebula has a rather different appearance from the ring nebula with two
iridescent lobes of material stretching outwards from the nebulas centre the
reason for this odd structure is hidden at the nebulous core the twin jet nebula
is a bipolar nebula and the characteristic shape is thought to be
caused by there being not one of two stars at its heart
within the loads starting from the star system and extending horizontally
outwards like vanes to faint blue-hued patches are visible these are
intense twin jets of gas streaming out into space the Jets are hurtling away
from the star system at speeds in excess of 1 million km/h as they travel they
slowly change their orientation over time
twisting slowly through space like water from a garden lawn sprinkler
this phenomenon is again thought to be attributable to the duo of stars
orbiting at the nebulous center
despite the clarity of this image binary star systems and manipulate our still
mysterious Hubble has much to explore but for now we can continue to enjoy
their beauty from afar
you
now that you've caught up with Hubble make sure to get the latest from the
ground too the esocast highlights the best of the
european southern observatory and its powerful telescopes that observe from
high in the chilean andes at the southern hemisphere's best known sites
for astronomical observations
but the only person around that doesn't have TV coverage of the foods me aniline
it man they've got the flag up now you can see this better than from all over
they come now are you getting a TV picture is he new yes we are doing a TV
picture bill will be announcing at once all summer
on by a brief program