PDA

View Full Version : 'Soccer Ball' Nebula May Help Solve Space Mystery



admin
26-07-2011, 02:24
A soccer-ball-shaped planetary nebula discovered by an amateur astronomer may help scientists better understand these odd structures, which are created by the last gasps of dying stars.

Researchers announced the existence of the newly discovered planetary nebula — named Kronberger 61, or Kn 61 — at a symposium today (July 25) in Tenerife, Spain.

Astronomers described the puffy nebula, which is located in a small patch of sky being monitored closely by NASA's planet-hunting Kepler Space Telescope, as resembling a soccer ball in deep space. Follow-up observations by Kepler may help answer key questions about planetary nebulas — such as how their formation may be shaped by companions, be they other stars or alien planets

source (http://www.space.com/12423-soccer-ball-planetary-nebula-amateur-astronomer.html)