Spiral planetary nebula | |
---|---|
Observational Data | |
Designation | NGC 5189 IC 4274 |
Right ascension | 13h 33m 32.86s[1] |
Declination | -65° 58′ 27.1″[1] |
Constellation | Musca |
Type of object | Planetary nebula |
Dimensions | 163.4" × 108.2"[2] |
Magnitude | Apparent Mag: +14.5[3] Absolute Mag: +5.8[4] |
Astrometry | |
Distance from Earth | 1,800 ly[5] |
Radial velocity | -8±4 km/s[6] |
The Spiral planetary nebula (NGC 5189, IC 4274, Gum 47) is a planetary nebula in the constellation of Musca, the fly.[7] Planetary nebulae were originally termed "planetary nebulae" as they normally appear circular (Ring nebula, Owl nebula) through telescopes, similar to planets, though some possess two lobes such as in the Butterfly nebula. However NGC 5189 is unusual, since it is neither of these shapes, and instead is shaped like the letter "S", hence the "spiral" in its common name.
The Spiral planetary nebula is located around 1,800 light years from Earth, though a few estimates are larger, putting it at close to 3,000 light years.[5][7] The nebula covers an area of sky equivalent to 163.4 × 108.2 arcseconds, meaning it is around 1.4 × 0.95 light years in size.[2] The nebula has a radial velocity of -9.5 km/s, the negative sign indicating it is approaching Earth and a temperature of (1.31±0.05)×104 kelvin.[8][9] As with the majority of other planetary nebulae, there is a star (specifically a white dwarf) at the heart of the nebula. The star is designated HD 117622.
NGC 5189 has a "S" shape structure unlike most other planetary nebula. Within the nebula are filamentary and knotted structures that can also be found in other planetary nebulae.[8] The nebula is comprised of three concentric bubble like structures or rings, wwith the innermost ring expanding at 25.3 km/s.[9]
Categories: [Astronomy] [Nebulae]