Context:
Chile’s Gemini South Telescope has captured a high-resolution image of the Butterfly Nebula, revealing unprecedented details. The nebula lies 2,500–3,800 light-years away and features glowing gas shaped like butterfly wings, ejected by a dying white dwarf.
Key Highlights
About the Butterfly Nebula
- Also known as NGC 6302, located in the constellation Scorpius.
- Formed by a white dwarf shedding outer layers, creating glowing bipolar gas lobes.
- The nebula’s distinctive shape resembles butterfly wings.
Imaging Milestone
- Image released to mark 25 years of the Gemini South Telescope.
- Image target was chosen by Chilean schoolchildren, reflecting public engagement in astronomy.
Scientific Significance
- Provides insights into:
- Late stages of stellar evolution
- Formation of planetary nebulae
- Gas dynamics around dying stars
- Helps astronomers study gas temperatures, chemical composition, and expansion patterns.
Relevant Prelims Points
Key Astronomy Concepts
- Planetary Nebula: Shell of ionised gas ejected from red giant/white dwarf systems.
- White Dwarf: Final evolutionary stage of Sun-like stars.
- Light-year: Unit of astronomical distance (~9.46 trillion km).
Gemini Observatory
- Comprises two telescopes:
- Gemini North (Hawaii)
- Gemini South (Chile)
- Operated by international consortium including USA, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Korea, etc.
Importance of NGC 6302
- One of the hottest known white dwarfs (~200,000 K).
- Popular example of a bipolar nebula.
Relevant Mains Points
Scientific Themes
- Stellar death cycles
- Mass ejection and ionisation processes
- Gas morphology mapping in nebulae
Applications
- Provides models for studying:
- Star–gas interactions
- Chemical enrichment of interstellar medium
- Dynamics of multiple-star systems
Way Forward
- Use advanced telescopes (JWST, ALMA) to conduct spectral analysis.
- Continue public science outreach to promote astronomy education.