Medusa Nebula facts for kids
| Emission nebula | |
|---|---|
| Planetary nebula | |
The Medusa Nebula, as seen by the Mayall Telescope.
|
|
| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 07h 29m 02.69s |
| Declination | +13° 14′ 48.4″ |
| Distance | 1,500 ly (460 pc) ly |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 15.99 |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 10.25 x 10.25 arcmin |
| Constellation | Gemini |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | 4 ly |
| Absolute magnitude (V) | 7.68 |
| Notable features | Very large & very low surface brightness |
| Designations | Sharpless 2-274, PK 205+14 1, Abell 21 |
The Medusa Nebula is a beautiful cloud of gas and dust in space. It is found in the Gemini constellation. This cosmic cloud is also known by other names, like Abell 21 and Sharpless 2-274. It is a type of object called a planetary nebula. These nebulae are formed when stars like our Sun reach the end of their lives.
Contents
Exploring the Medusa Nebula: A Cosmic Cloud
What is a Planetary Nebula?
A planetary nebula is not actually a planet. It is a glowing shell of gas. This gas is shed by a star in its final stages of life. Imagine a star puffing out its outer layers. These layers then expand into space. The remaining core of the star heats this gas, making it glow brightly. This creates the stunning shapes we see.
Discovering the Medusa Nebula's Secrets
The Medusa Nebula was first spotted in 1955. An astronomer named George O. Abell from the University of California, Los Angeles found it. He thought it was an old planetary nebula. Later, in 1971, scientists studied its movement and energy. This research confirmed that it was indeed a planetary nebula. It is named "Medusa" because its wavy, snake-like gas filaments reminded some astronomers of the mythical Medusa's hair.
A Giant, Faint Cosmic Wonder
The Medusa Nebula is very large. It stretches about 4 light-years across. This is a huge distance! Because it is so spread out, its light is very dim. This makes it hard to see even with powerful telescopes. Its brightness is very low, making it a challenge for astronomers to study. It lies about 1,500 light-years away from Earth.
The Star at the Medusa's Heart
At the very center of the Medusa Nebula is a special star. This star is called a PG 1159 star. It is the leftover core of the star that created the nebula. These stars are very hot and bright. They are slowly cooling down over millions of years. This central star is what makes the surrounding gas glow.
See Also: More Cosmic Wonders
- Abell Catalog of Planetary Nebulae
- Geminga, a powerful source of gamma-rays in Gemini
- IC 444, a reflection nebula nearby
- Messier 35 open cluster, a group of young stars
