Abell 36 Explained

Abell 36 is a faint barrel shaped planetary nebula^[1] located 780 light years from Earth in the constellation of Virgo.^[2] It was discovered by the American astronomer George Ogden Abell in 1955.^[3]

The nebula surrounds a dying sun-like star that is shedding out its outer layers forming Abell 36. The star is evolving towards its white dwarf phase of life. ^[4] The nebula is estimated to have been formed around 10,000 years ago.^[5]

External links

• • ESO Press Release from 22 January 2019

Notes and References

1. Web site: Planetary Nebula Abell 36 Deep⋆Sky Corner . 2024-05-13 . www.deepskycorner.ch . en.
2. Abell 36 . 30 May 2014 . The gorgeous, gaseous shroud of a dying sunlike star, planetary nebula Abell 36 lies a mere 800 light-years away in the constellation of Virgo. At that distance it spans over 1.5 light-years in this sharp telescopic view. Shrugging off its outer layers, the nebula's central star is contracting and becoming hotter, evolving towards a final white dwarf phase. In fact, in Abell 36, the central star is estimated to have a surface temperature of over 73,000 K, compared to the Sun's present 6,000 K temperature. As a result, the intensely hot star is much brighter in ultraviolet light, compared to its visual appearance here. The invisible ultraviolet light ionizes hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the nebula and ultimately powers the beautiful visible light glow. .
3. Web site: Planetary nebula - Abell 36 OIIIRGB . 2024-05-13 . Telescope Live . en.
4. Web site: APOD: 2014 May 30 - Planetary Nebula Abell 36 . 2024-05-13 . apod.nasa.gov.
5. Web site: Planetary Nebula Abell 36 Deep⋆Sky Corner . 2024-05-13 . www.deepskycorner.ch . en.