"Stunning Space Photo: Cosmic Butterfly Emerges from Dying Star in Dazzling Display!"

 The Gemini North telescope in Hawaii has captured a mesmerizing cosmic spectacle, revealing the stunning beauty of a dying star. This week's space photo unveils Kohoutek 3-46, a planetary nebula located 7,200 light-years away in Cygnus's constellation.

Kohoutek 3-46 is a planetary nebula captured by the Geminin North telescope. (Image credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA. Image processing: J. Miller (International Gemini Observatory/NSF's NOIRLab), M. Rodriguez (International Gemini Observatory/NSF's NOIRLab) & M. Zamani (NSF's NOIRLab))

  • As stars like our sun near the end of their lives, they undergo a breathtaking transformation. For smaller stars, about one to eight times the size of the sun, this process involves expanding into a red giant before shedding their outer layers. These glowing gas layers, illuminated by the remaining core or white dwarf, can create intricate shapes that shine for thousands of years. Kohoutek 3-46, estimated to be around 20,000 years old, has taken on the shape of a butterfly, making it a rare and captivating sight.
  • Unlike typical planetary nebulas, which are usually circular, Kohoutek 3-46 boasts a striking bipolar hourglass shape. Only about 10 to 20% of planetary nebulas exhibit this form, making this nebula even more unique. Named after its discoverer, astronomer Luboš Kohoutek, who identified it in 1964, this celestial marvel fascinates astronomers and stargazers alike.
  • Currently visible in the Northern Hemisphere's post-sunset sky, Kohoutek 3-46 can be found in the constellation Cygnus, part of the renowned "Summer Triangle." Nearby is the constellation Lyra, home to the famous Ring Nebula (M57), another planetary nebula with a more traditional appearance.

As we gaze at this celestial butterfly, we are reminded of our universe's awe-inspiring beauty and complexity. Even in their final moments, the stars above leave behind breathtaking legacies that continue to shine across the cosmos.


By:- Ranjan

#CosmicButterfly, #SpacePhotoOfTheWeek, #PlanetaryNebula, #Kohoutek346, #AstronomyLovers, #GeminiNorth, #StellarDeath, #NebulaBeauty,

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