Abell 36

Abell 36
Emission nebula
Planetary nebula
As seen from the Very Large Telescope
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension13h 40m 41.34369s[1][2]
Declination−19° 52′ 55.3200″[1][2]
Distance780 ly (240 pc)[3][4] ly
Apparent magnitude (V)Integrated: 12.2–14.3;[5] Central star: 15.4[2]
Apparent dimensions (V)6.117′ × 6.117′[1][2]
ConstellationVirgo
Physical characteristics
Radius1.5 ly (0.46 pc)[3] ly
Notable featuresA unique and detailed PN
DesignationsPK 318+41.1, PN G 318.4+41.4
See also: Lists of nebulae

Abell 36 is a faint barrel shaped planetary nebula[6] located 780 light years from Earth in the constellation of Virgo.[3][5][7] It was discovered by the American astronomer George Ogden Abell in 1955.[8]

The nebula surrounds a dying sun-like star that is shedding out its outer layers forming Abell 36. The star is evolving towards its white dwarf phase of life. [9] The nebula is estimated to have been formed around 10,000 years ago.[10]

  1. ^ a b c SIMBAD (4 August 2014), Results for PN A66 36, SIMBAD, Centre de Données Astronomiques de Strasbourg
  2. ^ a b c d "The Complete Abell Catalog of Planetary Nebulae". Astronomy Mall. Retrieved 2014-08-04. MAG1 = Integrated VMag of PN / MAG2 = Mag of Central Star / SIZE = Diameter in arcminutes — ABELL:36 CON: VIR PNG# / OTHER: 318.4+41.4 MAG1: 11.8 MAG2: 11.5 SIZE: 6.2 RA: 13 40 41.3 DEC: -19 52 57 URA2: 149
  3. ^ a b c Nemiroff, R.; Bonnell, J., eds. (30 May 2014). "Abell 36". Astronomy Picture of the Day. NASA. The gorgeous, gaseous shroud of a dying sunlike star, planetary nebula Abell 36 lies a mere 800 light-years away in the constellation of Virgo. At that distance it spans over 1.5 light-years in this sharp telescopic view. Shrugging off its outer layers, the nebula's central star is contracting and becoming hotter, evolving towards a final white dwarf phase. In fact, in Abell 36, the central star is estimated to have a surface temperature of over 73,000 K, compared to the Sun's present 6,000 K temperature. As a result, the intensely hot star is much brighter in ultraviolet light, compared to its visual appearance here. The invisible ultraviolet light ionizes hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the nebula and ultimately powers the beautiful visible light glow.
  4. ^ "Abell 36 Planetary Nebula in Virgo". Astrodon. Archived from the original on 2015-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-17. Abell 36 is a planetary nebula (PK 318+41.1) at RA 13h 41m 17s and DEC -19d 53m 10s in the constellation of Virgo. The field is 21' x 21' and north is to the upper left. The apparent size of the object is approximately 7.6' N-S and 4.8' E-W. It is estimated to be close at 780 light years distant with an age ranging from 4,700 to 8,000 years. The bright, central star in the image, FB138, is estimated to have an effective temperature of > 73,000 K. This image of the core was identified by Abell in 1966 from POSS plates. It is considered to have a bipolar structure.
  5. ^ a b Abell, George O. (April 1966), "Properties of Some Old Planetary Nebulae", Astrophysical Journal, 144: 259, Bibcode:1966ApJ...144..259A, doi:10.1086/148602
  6. ^ "Planetary Nebula Abell 36 | Deep⋆Sky Corner". www.deepskycorner.ch. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  7. ^ Abell, George O. (1955), "Globular Clusters and Planetary Nebulae Discovered on the National Geographic Society-Palomar Observatory Sky Survey", Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 67 (397): 258, Bibcode:1955PASP...67..258A, doi:10.1086/126815
  8. ^ "Planetary nebula - Abell 36 OIIIRGB". Telescope Live. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  9. ^ "APOD: 2014 May 30 - Planetary Nebula Abell 36". apod.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  10. ^ "Planetary Nebula Abell 36 | Deep⋆Sky Corner". www.deepskycorner.ch. Retrieved 2024-05-13.