The nebula (NGC 6164/6165) surrounding HD 148937 as seen in visible light

This image, taken with the VLT Survey Telescope hosted at ESO’s Paranal Observatory, shows the beautiful nebula NGC 6164/6165, also known as the Dragon’s Egg. The nebula is a cloud of gas and dust surrounding a pair of stars called HD 148937. 

In a new study using ESO data, astronomers have shown that the two stars are unusually different from each other — one appears much younger and, unlike the other, is magnetic. Moreover, the nebula is significantly younger than either star at its heart, and is made up of gases normally found deep within a star and not on the outside. These clues together helped solve the mystery of the HD 148937 system — there were most likely three stars in the system until two of them clashed and merged, creating a new, larger and magnetic star. This violent event also created the spectacular nebula that now surrounds the remaining stars. 

Crediti:

ESO/VPHAS+ team. Acknowledgement: CASU

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Identificazione:eso2407a
Tipo:Osservazione
Data di rilascio:Giovedì 11 Aprile 2024 20:00
Notizie relative:eso2407
Grandezza:2187 x 2692 px

Riguardo all'oggetto

Nome:HD 148937, NGC 6164, NGC 6165
Tipo:Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Binary
Milky Way : Nebula
Distanza:4000 Anni luce
Categoria:Nebulae
Stars

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