Transcript 2100 eye
Nebulas by Brian Charlesworth Long Exposure Photography • Long exposure photography of the universe is an incredible mix of art and science. What is a Nebula? • An interstellar cloud of hydrogen, helium, plasma and dust in outer space. • Visible in the night sky as either an indistinct bright patch or as a dark silhouette. • “Nebula” in Latin means “cloud” How do they form? • Gravitational Collapse in the ISM (space stuff) • Material collapses under its own weight • Massive stars form in the center radiating light visible to the eye What do Nebulas become? • Nebulas are “star creators” in a way • Stars are born as gravity pulls in more and more interstellar space matter (ISM) The Triangulum Emission Garren Nebula The Cat’s Eye Nebula (planetary nebula) Protoplanetary Nebula • These nebulas have objects that were on their way to becoming stars but were not able to reach a mass or temperature high enough to become a full-fledged star • These protostars later become planets The famous Eagle Nebula M16 • Pillars are about 2-3 lightyears • long. Eagle Nebula • Active star formation is taking place here • Long pillars are nicknamed “Pillars of Creation” • Small dark areas in M16 are thought to be protostars • Composed of Hydrogen gas and dust • ~6500 light-years away Nebulas • Nebulas may also be the end of a star Butterfly Nebula • About 2100 light-years from earth, this nebula is the result of an impending death of a binary star system at the center • Scientists think this will happen to our Sun in About 5 million years. The Eye of God The Eye of God Nebula • This nebula is the closest nebula to our home planet at only 700 light years • Its age is about 10,600 • There are over 20,000 comets in this nebula alone The Eskimo Nebula Eskimo Nebula • • • • One of the most photogenic Nebulas Discovered by William Herschel It can be seen with a small telescope Said to look like an Eskimo with a hood on Crab Nebula Crab Nebula • One of the most historical supernovae remnant • One of the brightest and easiest to see in the night sky • Was a star that ran out of fuel and imploded and collapsed on itself. Nebulas The eye candy of the Universe