Posted on 01/05/2026 12:02:25 PM PST by MtnClimber
Explanation: How was the unusual Red Rectangle nebula created? At the nebula's center is an aging binary star system that surely powers the nebula but does not, as yet, explain its colors. The unusual shape of the Red Rectangle is likely due to a thick dust torus which pinches the otherwise spherical outflow into tip-touching cone shapes. Because we view the torus edge-on, the boundary edges of the cone shapes seem to form an X. The distinct rungs suggest the outflow occurs in fits and starts. The unusual colors of the nebula are less well understood, however, and speculation holds that they are partly provided by hydrocarbon molecules that may actually be building blocks for organic life. The Red Rectangle nebula lies about 2,300 light years away towards the constellation of the Unicorn (Monoceros). The nebula is shown here in great detail as a reprocessed image from Hubble Space Telescope. In a few million years, as one of the central stars becomes further depleted of nuclear fuel, the Red Rectangle nebula will likely bloom into a planetary nebula.
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.
Pinging the APOD list
đȘ đ đ đ
I have been unable to access the APOD website
for 3 or 4 days now.
Have tried 3 different browsers.
So geometric
I couldnât yesterday using Safari. Today I used DuckDuckGo and it workedâŠ.
Shouldâve called it the âSpread Eagleâ Nebula.
Whoa.
I just showed this to my kids.
Told ‘em it looks like a red, naked skydiver coming right at ya!
I have heard that from several people. I have not experienced it myself. I use Duck Duck Go for my browser for the ad and pop-up blockers it uses.
Its a huge pyramid shaped spaceship that just fired a laser weapon straight at us!!!!!
Well, this guy wasnât naked, but he actually did parachute down..sort ofâŠ..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmfwQ4nFYcI
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