Hubble Explains Nebula’s Ruddy Complexion

[n2doc]

By Alexis Madrigal December 1, 2009



A ruddy nebula reflects the light from a huge, nearby star in this latest image released by the Hubble Space Telescope’s operators.

The Iris Nebula is a bit mysterious. It’s not hot enough to emit its own light, like some nebulae do. Instead, the Iris reflects light from the star, HD 200775, which is 10 times as massive as the sun, Most nebulae of this type are blue-tinged, but as you can see, it’s obviously reddish. Why?

By studying the dust’s composition, astronomers have discovered that the filaments above and to the left of the image’s center are red because of an unknown chemical, likely hydrocarbon based. They’re now working to figure out what the exact compound is.

The study of objects like the Iris, which is located about 1,400 light-years away in the Cephelus constellation, have come a long way since Sir William Herschel first discovered it in 1794. Not only can the Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys provide amazing detail, but Hubble’s Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer can be used to analyze the chemical makeup of celestial bodies.

Zoomed out farther, the composite image below shows exactly why the Iris Nebula is so named.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/hubble-dust-up/

[Birthmark]

1. Typo

"Cephelus" should be "Cepheus."

'Cause it can't be true if it ain't spelled right. :)

[CherokeeDem]

2. Amazing....

Each picture from Hubble is more fascinating than the last. Just makes you wonder what other amazing things are out there, waiting to be discovered.