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12.8: Planetary Nebula

Last updated

Nov 20, 2024
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- 12.7: White Dwarf
- 12.9: White Dwarfs and Neighbors

Lumen Learning
Lumen Learning

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The star’s planetary nebula is created when a shell of gas is ejected by the star and illuminated by its central, White Dwarf. The term planetary nebula was coined by astronomer William Herschel in the 1780s as he was observing these objects. He brought attention to their round shapes, which reminded Herschel of planets. Planetary nebula are only visible tens of thousands of years, a short period in the life of a low-mass star. We see them due to the ultraviolet energy released by the White Dwarf. Once the White Dwarf cools and fades, neither the planetary nebula nor White Dwarf is visible. What remains is an expanding cloud of gas and dust and a carbon sphere.

Note:In the end, all that remains is a cold, dark mass composed mainly of carbon. These are occasionally referred to as black dwarfs, although there is debate if the Universe is old enough for any black dwarfs to exist.

Image of A core disc of dark smoky blue wisps of violet and ringed with all the colors of the rainbow. — Public Domain | Image courtesy of NASA / EVA.

Image of hows a bulls-eye pattern of eleven or more concentric rings or shells around the center of the Cat’s Eye. — Public Domain | Image courtesy of NASA.

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