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|---|---|
PIA 04533 | |
| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 06 19 58.2160 |
| Declination | −10° 38′ 14.691″ |
| Distance | 2.3 ± 0.3 kly (710 ± 100 pc) ly |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.02 |
| Constellation | Monoceros |
| Designations | HD 44179, RAFGL 915 |
| See also: Lists of nebulae | |
The Red Rectangle Nebula, so called because of its unique shape and color, is a protoplanetary nebula near the Monoceros constellation. Also known as HD 44179, the nebula was discovered in 1973 during a rocket flight associated with the AFCRL Infrared Sky Survey called Hi Star. The binary system at the center of the nebula was first discovered by Robert Grant Aitken in 1915.
Characteristics
Diffraction-limited speckle images of it in visible and near infrared light reveal a highly symmetric, compact bipolar nebula with &Times; shaped spikes which imply toroidal dispersion of the circumstellar material. The central binary system is completely obscured, providing no direct light.(Men'shchikov et al. 2002) harv error: no target: CITEREFMen'shchikovSchertlTuthillWeigelt2002 (help)
Exciting information was reported at the 203rd Meeting of the American Astronomical Society in January 2004 by a team led by A. Witt of the University of Toledo, Ohio, who discovered the spectral signatures of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons anthracene and pyrene in the ultraviolet light emitted by the nebula - potentially vital organic molecules for the formation of life.
So why does it look like a big X? A likely explanation is that the central star - actually a close pair of stars - is surrounded by a thick dust torus which pinches the otherwise spherical outflow into tip-touching cone shapes. Because we view the torus edge-on, the boundary edges of the cone shapes seem to form an X. The distinct rungs suggest the outflow occurs in fits and starts. About 2,300 light-years away toward the fanciful constellation Monoceros, the Red Rectangle nebula should be transformed into a glorious planetary nebula as its cool central star becomes a hot white dwarf over the next few thousand years.
See also
External links
Notes
- ^ (SIMBAD 2007) harv error: no target: CITEREFSIMBAD2007 (help)
- (Men'shchikov et al. 2002) harv error: no target: CITEREFMen'shchikovSchertlTuthillWeigelt2002 (help)
References
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