Death OF A Sun-like Star

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Earth & Space Science, Earth Science, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Cosmology, Computer Science, Nature of Science, History of Science

Ed Hessler

The frequency of knock-out images from Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) seems to me to be increasing. This is a result of incredible advances in technology - telescopes, images now taken in clear space without atmospheric interference or distortions, computing science and the skills of scientists and engineers.space Here is another of a nebula - MyCn 18 - this time a planetary nebula in the last throes of a Sun-like star. It is about 8000 light years from us This image is razor sharp.

These images seldom stand alone for me and fortunately APOD provides an interesting explanation and hypothesis. There are many ways, it appears, for stars to die and how they eject what is left of them in the end.

 

A lot of talent, training, education and wanting to know are involved in the making of this image. These are also why we can see such events, namely scientists always wanting to publish findings.