Stunning 3D view of Cat’s Eye Nebula reveals double star system at its heart
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2022 5:25 pm
Stunning 3D view of Cat’s Eye Nebula reveals double star system at its heart
https://www.zmescience.com/science/stun ... its-heart/
Deep inside the constellation Draco lies one of the more beautiful known nebulas in space. Also known as NGC 6543 and Caldwell 6, the Cat’s Eye Nebula was discovered by William Herschel on February 15, 1786. Thanks to the relatively close distance to Earth (if one can call 3,300 light-years “close”), the Hubble space telescope has been able to get some great shots of the object throughout the years. Now, an astronomy enthusiast has taken Cat’s Eye research to the next level by co-creating the first-ever computer-generated 3D model of the nebula, which hints at the presence of a binary star at its center.
According to a statement, a high school graduate and future Stanford University student named Ryan Clairmont is responsible for the development of the new 3D model. Clairmont used SHAPE, a 3D astrophysical modeling program developed by Wolfgang Steffen of The National Autonomous University of Mexico and Nico Koning from the University of Calgary, to create the 3D model.
Based on RAS’s assessment, this work improved our knowledge of the nebula’s momentary jets. The star at the center of Cat’s Eye released jets of dense gas, and these jets traced out circles like a spinning top. This is evidence that the central star of the nebula is likely a binary system and the cause of the symmetrical rings.
https://www.zmescience.com/science/stun ... its-heart/
Deep inside the constellation Draco lies one of the more beautiful known nebulas in space. Also known as NGC 6543 and Caldwell 6, the Cat’s Eye Nebula was discovered by William Herschel on February 15, 1786. Thanks to the relatively close distance to Earth (if one can call 3,300 light-years “close”), the Hubble space telescope has been able to get some great shots of the object throughout the years. Now, an astronomy enthusiast has taken Cat’s Eye research to the next level by co-creating the first-ever computer-generated 3D model of the nebula, which hints at the presence of a binary star at its center.
According to a statement, a high school graduate and future Stanford University student named Ryan Clairmont is responsible for the development of the new 3D model. Clairmont used SHAPE, a 3D astrophysical modeling program developed by Wolfgang Steffen of The National Autonomous University of Mexico and Nico Koning from the University of Calgary, to create the 3D model.
Based on RAS’s assessment, this work improved our knowledge of the nebula’s momentary jets. The star at the center of Cat’s Eye released jets of dense gas, and these jets traced out circles like a spinning top. This is evidence that the central star of the nebula is likely a binary system and the cause of the symmetrical rings.