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The NASA / ESA Hubble Space Telescope provided an unprecedented snapshot of the NGC 2371/2 bipolar (dual-lobe) planetary nebula.
This image shows the NGC 2371/2 planetary nebula. The Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) camera and Hubble Wide-field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) took the picture. The color composite was assembled from images taken in visible and infrared light. Image Credit: NASA / ESA / Hubble / R. Wade et al.
NGC 2371/2 is located approximately 4300 light-years from the constellation Gemini.
This nebula confused astronomers during its first study. Rather than being classified as a single object, it was instead recorded under two objects, named NGC 2371 and NGC 2372, because of its symmetrical lobed structure.
"The NGC 2371/2 is formed when a Sun-like star has reached the end of its life and has swept its outer layers, eliminating the constituent material and pushing it into space for leave only one superheated stellar rest, "Hubble astronomers explained.
"This remains is visible in the form of an orange star in the center of the frame, perfectly seated between the two lobes."
The remaining star is the super hot core of the red giant. Its surface temperature is 134,000 degrees Celsius (240,000 degrees Fahrenheit).
"The structure of this region is complex," the scientists said.
"It is filled with dense knots of gas, fast jets that seem to change direction with time, and clouds of expanding matter that flow outward on the diametrically opposite sides of the remaining star.
"The spots in this scene shine when the remaining star emits energetic radiation that excites the gas in these areas and illuminates it."
"This scene will continue to change over the next several thousand years; the gnarled lobes will eventually dissipate completely and the remaining star will cool and darken to form a white dwarf.
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