Thursday, March 24, 2011

APOD 3.8

The red square nebula has a star at it's core (MWC 922) and appears, well...square.
See Explanation.  Clicking on the picture will download
the highest resolution version available.
It is suggested that during the star's development, cones were ejected at near-right angles. The cone theory has some support with the radial spokes that might run along the cone walls. It is also speculated that the cones from a different viewpoint would look akin to the rings around supernova 1987A. MWC 922 here might also go nova someday (if it's over 8 solar masses). Looks like the camera's peering into a train tunnel, or the hourglass on the underside of a widow spider's abdomen. (no people, it is NOT the most deadly spider)

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