Exploring the Cat's Eye Nebula's Activity

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In summary, the conversation discusses the Cat's Eye nebula and its appearance in a Hubble photo. The nebula is estimated to be around 1000 years old and has a diameter of several light years. The conversation also mentions the possibility of observing changes in the nebula over time, but notes that a video would be pointless due to the long timescale. The symmetry of the nebula is also mentioned, with one side having a shape that mirrors the other side. The conversation concludes by questioning how an explosion that is only 1000 years old can have such symmetry.
  • #1
skyshrimp
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I'm just learning about space. The Cat's Eye nebula looks very energetic at the core.

catseye.jpg


I can see what looks like plasma firing off chaotically from the center star.

If this was video footage, would what we see in this still Hubble photo move rapidly (like solar flares seen in footage from our Sun), or would the said video footage be static?
 
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  • #2
The nebula formed in a timescale of 1000 years, and has a diameter of several light years now. To observe changes, you have to wait years. A video would be completely pointless - and I think this image was a long-term observation anyway (= light was collected for a significant amount of time, minutes or even hours).
 
  • #3
From wiki here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat's_Eye_Nebula#Age

The angular expansion of the nebula can also be used to estimate its age. If it has been expanding at a constant rate of 10 milliarcseconds a year, then it would take 1000 ± 260 years to reach a diameter of 20 arcseconds. This may be an upper limit to the age, as ejected material will be slowed as it encounters material ejected from the star at earlier stages of its evolution, as well as the interstellar medium.[21]
 
  • #4
mfb said:
The nebula formed in a timescale of 1000 years, and has a diameter of several light years now.

One side of the explosion has the exact shape as the other but in reverse. How can a 1k yr old explosion that's several light years in diameter do that? You'd think it would be a gradient, uniformed explosion considering the immense size. Even the plasma looking 'blue' center has defined shapes similar to water refraction seen in swimming pools. That's why I assumed it was once moving faster than when Hubble received the still shot.
 
  • #5
Why does it look surprising that an explosion can have a symmetry, without having a full spherical symmetry?
Note that stars always have an axis of rotation - they are not spherically symmetric, but they have two equivalent sides.
 

1. What is the Cat's Eye Nebula and why is it of interest to scientists?

The Cat's Eye Nebula, also known as NGC 6543, is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Draco. It is of interest to scientists because it is one of the closest and brightest planetary nebulae, making it an ideal object for studying the late stages of stellar evolution.

2. How was the Cat's Eye Nebula formed?

The Cat's Eye Nebula was formed from the outer layers of a dying star, which were expelled into space during the final stages of its life. These layers then interacted with the surrounding interstellar medium, creating the distinctive shape and structures seen in the nebula.

3. What is the current activity of the Cat's Eye Nebula?

The Cat's Eye Nebula is currently in the process of expanding and dissipating, as the material from the dying star continues to interact with the surrounding environment. It is also experiencing periodic outbursts of brightening, likely caused by instabilities in the nebula's structure.

4. How do scientists study the activity of the Cat's Eye Nebula?

Scientists study the Cat's Eye Nebula using a variety of instruments and techniques, including optical and infrared telescopes, spectroscopy, and computer simulations. These methods allow them to analyze the nebula's structure, composition, and dynamics to better understand its evolution and activity.

5. What can the study of the Cat's Eye Nebula tell us about the life cycle of stars?

The Cat's Eye Nebula is an important object for studying the late stages of stellar evolution, as it provides insights into the fate of stars like our Sun. By analyzing the nebula's properties and comparing it to other planetary nebulae, scientists can better understand how stars evolve and eventually die, leaving behind these beautiful remnants.

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