Infrared Helix

Spitzer_ssc2006-01a1_1024

spitzer_ssc2006-01a1 January 9th, 2006

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/J. Hora (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)

The Helix Nebula, which is composed of gaseous shells and disks puffed out by a dying sunlike star, exhibits complex structure on the smallest visible scales. In this new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, infrared light at wavelengths of 3.6, 4.5, and 8.0 microns has been colored blue, green, and red (respectively). The color saturation also has been increased to intensify hues. The "cometary knots" show blue-green heads due to excitation of their molecular material from shocks or ultraviolet radiation. The tails of the cometary knots appear redder due to being shielded from the central star's ultraviolet radiation and wind by the heads of the knots.

Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope

Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1533-ssc2006-01a1-Infrared-Helix

Curator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA

Image Use Policy: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy

Image Details

Image Type
Observation
Object Name
Helix Nebula NGC 7293
Subject - Milky Way
Nebula > Type > Planetary

Distance

Universescale1
650 light years
Spitzer_ssc2006-01a1_128
 

Position Details

Position (ICRS)
RA = 22h 29m 33.3s
DEC = -20° 48’ 46.8”
Orientation
North is 61.0° CW
Field of View
19.8 x 23.1 arcminutes
Constellation
Aquarius

Color Mapping

  Telescope Spectral Band Wavelength
Blue Spitzer (IRAC) Infrared (Near-IR) 3.6 µm
Green Spitzer (IRAC) Infrared (Near-IR) 4.5 µm
Red Spitzer (IRAC) Infrared (Mid-IR) 8.0 µm
Spectrum_base
Blue
Green
Red
Spitzer_ssc2006-01a1_1280
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ID
ssc2006-01a1
Subject Category
B.4.1.3.  
Subject Name
Helix Nebula, NGC 7293
Credits
NASA/JPL-Caltech/J. Hora (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)
Release Date
2006-01-09
Lightyears
650
Redshift
650
Reference Url
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1533-ssc2006-01a1-Infrared-Helix
Type
Observation
Image Quality
Good
Distance Notes
Distance from fast facts
Facility
Spitzer, Spitzer, Spitzer
Instrument
IRAC, IRAC, IRAC
Color Assignment
Blue, Green, Red
Band
Infrared, Infrared, Infrared
Bandpass
Near-IR, Near-IR, Mid-IR
Central Wavelength
3600, 4500, 8000
Start Time
Integration Time
Dataset ID
Notes
Coordinate Frame
ICRS
Equinox
J2000
Reference Value
337.38867760190544, -20.813012839639605
Reference Dimension
2977, 3465
Reference Pixel
1490, 1730
Scale
-0.00011112278134153, 0.00011112278134153
Rotation
-61.0385630612
Coordinate System Projection:
TAN
Quality
Full
FITS Header
Notes
Creator (Curator)
Spitzer Space Telescope
URL
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu
Name
Spitzer Space Telescope
Email
Telephone
Address
1200 E. California Blvd.
City
Pasadena
State/Province
CA
Postal Code
91125
Country
USA
Rights
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy
Publisher
Spitzer Science Center
Publisher ID
spitzer
Resource ID
ssc2006-01a1.tif
Metadata Date
2012-03-21
Metadata Version
1.1
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Detailed color mapping information coming soon...

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Universescalefull
650 light years

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