 Return to Index |
 Previous Image |
 Next Image |
Shapley 1 is a planetary nebula located
in Norma. The nebula is only a little over an arc minute in size. The
nebula's annular shape makes it an unusual, because most planetary nebulae
are roughly spherical. Planetary nebulae received their name not because
they are actually planets, but because when viewed by early astronomers
they appeared very similar to planetary objects. The small, compact star
at the center of Shapley 1 is a white dwarf star, a star at the end of
its life. It has cast off its outside layers so that only the dense core
remains. Shapley 1 is about 1000 light years from Earth. (Copyright Anglo-Australian Observatory)
References:
http://www.aao.gov.au/images/captions/aat095.html
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap970215.html
http://www.aao.gov.au/AAO/images.html/captions/aat095.html
Object |
Distance from Earth |
Wavelength |
Shapley 1 |
1,000
light years |
Optical |
