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Further Investigation into the Helix Nebula
More on the Helix Nebula
More on the Helix Nebula
The Helix Nebula is (also known as The Eye of God) is a planetary nebula, which are named after their similar appearance to the gas giants in our planet. This nebula was formed when a star similar to the Sun ran out of hydrogen and helium to fuse and blew away its gases. All that remains is a hot, dense white dwarf core that is emitting intense ultraviolet radiation. The nebula is the closest planetary nebula to the Sun at only 700 light-years away. The Helix Nebula spans about 3 light-years.
White Dwarf Stars
White Dwarf Stars
White dwarves are formed after a red giant expels its outer layers and leaves only a white hot core. White dwarves lack in electrons and are positively charged, unlike neutron stars. These stars are very dense and sometimes, instead of cooling off slowly, they will acquire enough mass to go nova. Measuring the temperature of white dwarfs helps to determine the age of the universe because of their constant, slow cooling.
Cometary Knots
Cometary Knots
The Helix Nebula provided the first discovery of these knots. A cometary knot is a grouping of gas pointing away from the star. The knots are denser than the surrounding gas and can be as big as the orbit of Pluto. Cometary knot structures form from the ionizing radiation emitted from the star. Rays from the star give energy to the gases by the same idea behind a solar sail. These ionized gases are believed to be a given in the evolution of a planetary nebula.
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