IC 418
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| IC 418 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Observation data (Epoch J2000) | |
| Right ascension | 05h 27m 28.2037s[1] |
| Declination | −12° 41′ 50.265″[1] |
| Distance | 3.6 ± 1.0 kly (1100 ± 300 pc)[2] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.6[1] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 30″[citation needed] |
| Constellation | Lepus |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | 0.15 ly |
| Absolute magnitude (V) | - |
| Notable features | - |
| Other designations | Spirograph Nebula[citation needed] |
| See also: Planetary nebula, Lists of nebulae | |
IC 418, also known as Spirograph Nebula, is a planetary nebula in the Milky Way Galaxy.
The name derives from the intricate pattern of the nebula, which resembles a pattern which can be created using the Spirograph, a toy which produces geometric patterns (specifically, hypotrochoids and epitrochoids) on paper.
History
Only a few million years ago, IC 418 was probably a common red giant star.[citation needed] Since running out of nuclear fuel, though, the outer envelope has begun expanding outward leaving a hot remnant core destined to become a white dwarf star.
IC 418 lies about 1100 light-years away and spans 0.3 light-years across.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for IC 418. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
- ↑ "Expansion Parallax of the Planetary Nebula IC 418". Paper on IC 418. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
External links
- The Spirograph Nebula (IC 418) - STScI Press Release
- Astronomy Picture of the Day - IC 418: The Spirograph Nebula - 2010 April 11
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