|
Our Sun will die in 4.5 billion years. Following this event, what will remain will look quite similar to the planetary nebula,
shown in the picture above.
This image was taken on 26 September 2008, with the 20 inch NTU telescope. It shows the planetary nebula, known as M 27 (Dumbbell
Nebula), which is 1,360 light-years away from Earth.
Just visible in the centre of this nebula, are the remains of the star that created it, which is called a 'white dwarf'. The
only source of energy for these dead stars is their remaining heat. As they, like our Sun, do not create energy by themselves,
they are doomed to eventually cool down and become invisible dark rocks in space.
This nebula was discovered by C. Messier in 1764 and was included in his Messier catalogue as number 27. It was the first
planetary nebula included in the catalogue.
This false colour image is made up of the following:
- The red chanel is a 5 x 1 minute exposure in SII
- The green channel is a 5 x 1 minute exposure in H alpha
- The blue channel is a 5 x 1 minute exposure in OIII
|
