NGC 40

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NGC 40
Observation data
(Epoch J2000)
Right ascension 00h 13m 01.015s[1]
Declination +72° 31′ 19.085″[1]
Distance ~3,500 ly (~1.0 kpc)[2]
Apparent magnitude (V) 11.4,[1] 12.3[2]
Apparent dimensions (V) 38 x 35 arcseconds[2]
Constellation Cepheus
Physical characteristics
Other designations Bow-Tie Nebula
See also: Planetary nebula, Lists of nebulae


NGC 40 (also known as the Bow-Tie Nebula ) is a planetary nebula discovered by W.F.Herschel Nov 25 1788, and is composed of hot gas around a dying star. The star has ejected its outer layer which has left behind a smaller, hot star with a temperature on the surface of about 50,000[3] degrees (Celsius). Radiation from the star causes the shed outer layer to heat to about 10,000[3] degrees (Celsius) and is about one[3] light-year across. About 30,000[3] years from now, scientists theorize that NGC 40 will fade away, leaving only a white dwarf star approximately the size of Earth.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c SIMBAD Astronomical Database. Results for NGC 40. Retrieved on 2006-12-22.
  2. ^ a b c O'Meara, Stephen James (2002). Deep Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects. Sky Publishing Corporation, 22-23. ISBN 0-933346-97-2. 
  3. ^ a b c d e Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.


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