Nov 5, 2021 by Enrico de Lazaro
Cleopatra’s Eye, or NGC 1535, is a planetary nebula in the constellation Eridanus. This nebula has an unusual structure that is similar to the better-known NGC 2392, with an outer region and a brighter inner center.This Hubble image shows NGC 1535, a planetary nebula located 5,500-7,500 light-years away in the constellation of Eridanus.
Image credit: NASA / ESA / Bond et al. / Gladys Kober, NASA & Catholic University of America.
NGC 1535 is a 10.5-magnitude planetary nebula in the constellation of Eridanus.
Also referred to as BD-13 842, HD 26847 and IRAS 04119-1251 in various astronomical catalogues, it lies at a distance between 5,500 and 7,500 light-years from Earth.
NGC 1535 was first spied by the German-born British astronomer William Herschel on February 1, 1785.
“A planetary nebula forms when a star approximately the size of our Sun dies, exhaling its outer layers into space as the core turns into a white dwarf star,” the Hubble astronomers said.
“Through early telescopes these objects resembled planets — giving them their name — but planetary nebulae are unrelated to actual planets.”
NGC 1535 has an unusual structure that is similar to the better-known Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392), with an outer region and a brighter inner center.
“Hubble observed this nebula as part of a study of over 100 planetary nebulae with nearby stars,” the researchers said.
“The proximity of the stars indicated a possible gravitational connection between the nearby stars and the central stars of the nebulae.”
“Observations of the distance between NGC 1535’s central star and its possible companion suggest that Cleopatra’s Eye is indeed part of a gravitationally bound binary star system.”
NGC 1535 is a 10.5-magnitude planetary nebula in the constellation of Eridanus.
Also referred to as BD-13 842, HD 26847 and IRAS 04119-1251 in various astronomical catalogues, it lies at a distance between 5,500 and 7,500 light-years from Earth.
NGC 1535 was first spied by the German-born British astronomer William Herschel on February 1, 1785.
“A planetary nebula forms when a star approximately the size of our Sun dies, exhaling its outer layers into space as the core turns into a white dwarf star,” the Hubble astronomers said.
“Through early telescopes these objects resembled planets — giving them their name — but planetary nebulae are unrelated to actual planets.”
NGC 1535 has an unusual structure that is similar to the better-known Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392), with an outer region and a brighter inner center.
“Hubble observed this nebula as part of a study of over 100 planetary nebulae with nearby stars,” the researchers said.
“The proximity of the stars indicated a possible gravitational connection between the nearby stars and the central stars of the nebulae.”
“Observations of the distance between NGC 1535’s central star and its possible companion suggest that Cleopatra’s Eye is indeed part of a gravitationally bound binary star system.”
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