Image: Mira the star-by Nasa alt crop
Description: Mira A is a red giant variable star in the constellation Cetus. This ultraviolet-wavelength image mosaic, taken by NASA's GALEX, shows a comet-like "tail" stretching 13 light year across space. The "tail" consists of hydrogen gas blown off of the star, with the material at the furthest end of the "tail" having been emitted about 30,000 years ago. The tail-like configuration of the emitted material appears to result from Mira's uncommonly high speed (about 130 km/s (81 mi/s)) relative to the Milky Way galaxy's ambient gas. Mira itself is seen as a small white dot inside a blue bulb.
Title: Mira the star-by Nasa alt crop
Credit: http://www.galex.caltech.edu/MEDIA/2007-04/images.html
Author: NASA
Permission: See below
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No
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