NGC 2899

NGC 2899
Emission nebula
Planetary nebula
NGC 2899, imaged by the Very Large Telescope
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension09h 27m 03.2s[1]
Declination−56° 06′ 21.1″[1]
Distance3,350 ± 670 ly (1,026 ± 205 pc)[2] ly
Apparent magnitude (V)11.8[3]
Apparent dimensions (V)2.6′ × 1.3′[4]
ConstellationVela
DesignationsNGC 2899, Gum 27, PN G277.1-03.8[5]
See also: Lists of nebulae

NGC 2899 is a planetary nebula in the southern constellation of Vela. It was discovered by English astronomer John Herschel on February 27, 1835.[6] This nebula can be viewed with a moderate-sized amateur telescope, but requires a larger telescope to resolve details.[3] NGC 2899 is located at a distance of 3,350 ± 670 light-years (1,026 ± 205 pc) from the Sun and 25,894 ± 3 light-years (7,939 ± 1 pc) from the Galactic Center.[2]

This nebula has an overall kidney shape that is elongated along an axis from WNW to ESE.[7] The overall topology is bipolar with a significant equatorial structure. This shape is believed to result from a binary star system. The mean expansion rate is 43 to 56 km/s, with high velocity structures expanding at 110 to 130 km/s. The core mass of the central star is estimated as ~1.2 M☉.[4]

The nebula lies within a large cavity in the surrounding medium. This opening has quadrupolar shape with a physical dimension of 14 pc × 11 pc. The elongation lies along a position angle of 37°±5°, which is aligned with the minor axis of the planetary nebula. This opening was most likely crafted by a fast stellar wind coming from the central star during its asymptotic giant branch stage, prior to the formation of a planetary nebula. The shape and filamentary structures suggest the interaction of a binary star system.[8][9]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Cutri_et_al_2003 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Stanghellini_Haywood_2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Bakich_2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Lopez_et_al_1991 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Simbad was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference CSeligman was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Streicher_2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Weinberger_Aryal_2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Aryal_et_al_2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).