NGC 2371-2 is a dual lobed planetary nebula located in the constellation Gemini. Visually, it appears like it could be two separate objects; therefore, two entries were given to the planetary nebula by John Louis Emil Dreyer in the New General Catalogue, so it may be referred to as NGC 2371, NGC 2372, or variations on this name.[1] It has also been called the double bubble nebula.[2]
| Emission nebula | |
|---|---|
| Planetary nebula | |
 NGC 2371-2 | |
| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 07h 25m 34.7s[1] |
| Declination | +29° 29′ 25.6″[1] |
| Distance | 4400 ly ly |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 13 |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 44 |
| Constellation | Gemini |
| Designations | NGC 2371,[1] NGC 2372[1] |
The central star of the planetary nebula has a spectral type of [WO1], indicating a spectrum similar to that of an oxygen-rich Wolf–Rayet star.[3]
Observations
editNGC 2371-2 is in the constellation of Gemini which is visible in the latitudes between +90° and −60°. The planetary nebula appears southwest of Castor, and is located at a distance of 4400 light years.
At 13th magnitude, this nebula is well within the limits of most amateur telescopes. Like most planetary nebulae, this one responds well to both high magnification and narrow-band filters, especially an OIII emission filter. It is listed within the RASC's 110 Finest NGC List.[4]
Gallery
edit-
![NGC 2371 taken by HST.[5]](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/The_Death_of_a_Star_NGC_2371.tif/lossy-page1-115px-The_Death_of_a_Star_NGC_2371.tif.jpg)
-
NGC 2371 with WFPC2
![NGC 2371 taken by HST.[5]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/The_Death_of_a_Star_NGC_2371.tif/lossy-page1-115px-The_Death_of_a_Star_NGC_2371.tif.jpg)
See also
edit- Gemini in Chinese astronomy
- Cancer Minor (constellation) - Obsolete constellation inside modern Gemini
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "NGC 2371". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
- ^ O'Meara, Stephen James (2011). "36: Double Bubble Nebula NGC 2371-2". Deep-Sky Companions, Volume 4: The Secret Deep. Cambridge University Press. p. 161. ISBN 9781139500074.
- ^ González-Santamaría, I.; Manteiga, M.; Manchado, A.; Ulla, A.; Dafonte, C.; López Varela, P. (2021). "Planetary nebulae in Gaia EDR3: Central star identification, properties, and binarity". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 656: A51. arXiv:2109.12114. Bibcode:2021A&A...656A..51G. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202141916. S2CID 237940344.
- ^ "Finest NGC Objects | the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada". www.rasc.ca. Archived from the original on 29 November 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "The Death of a Star". www.spacetelescope.org. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
External links
edit
- The Hubble European Space Agency Information Centre Hubble picture and information on NGC 2371
- NGC 2371-2 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images
