Hubble’s Observation of the Stingray Nebula in 1996
Archival data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveal that the nebula Hen 3-1357, nicknamed the Stingray nebula, has faded precipitously over just the past two decades. Witnessing such a swift rate of change in a planetary nebula is exceedingly rare, say researchers.
This image captured by Hubble in 1996 demonstrates how the nebula appeared before it dimmed drastically in brightness and changed shape. At this time, it was characterised by bright blue shells of gas near the centre of the nebula.
Credit:NASA, ESA, B. Balick (University of Washington), M. Guerrero (Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía), and G. Ramos-Larios (Universidad de Guadalajara)
About the Image
Id: | heic2020b |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | 3 December 2020, 16:00 |
Related releases: | heic2020 |
Size: | 897 x 900 px |
About the Object
Name: | Stingray Nebula |
Type: | Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Planetary |
Constellation: | Ara |
Category: | Nebulae |
Wallpapers
1024x768
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1280x1024
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1600x1200
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1920x1200
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2048x1536
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Coordinates
Position (RA): | 17 16 21.05 |
Position (Dec): | -59° 29' 23.88" |
Field of view: | 0.10 x 0.10 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 0.2° right of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Optical O III | 502 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
Optical H-alpha | 656 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
Optical N II | 658 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |