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
