NGC 2440

NGC 2440
Observation data
(Epoch J2000)
Right ascension 07h 41m 54.91s[1]
Declination −18° 12 29.7[1]
Distance 4.00 kly (1.23 kpc)[2]
Apparent magnitude (V) 9.4[3]
Apparent dimensions (V) 74" × 42"[3]
Constellation Puppis
Physical characteristics
Other designations ESO 560-PN9

NGC 2440 is a planetary nebula, one of many in our galaxy. Its central star, HD62166,[1] is possibly the hottest known white dwarf. The nebula is situated in the Puppis constellation.

It was discovered by William Herschel on March 4, 1790. He described it as "a beautiful planetary nebula of a considerable degree of brightness, not very well defined."[3] The nebula is located about 1.23 kiloparsecs (3.79×1019 m) or about 4,000 light years from the Sun.[2]

HD 62166

HD 62166 has an exceptionally high surface temperature of about 200,000 kelvins[2] and a luminosity 1,100 times that of the Sun.[4] This dense star, with an estimated 0.6 solar mass and 0.028 solar radius,[4] has an apparent magnitude of 17.5.[5]

See also

External links

Notes

References

  • SIMBAD (January 9, 2007), Results for NGC 2440, SIMBAD, Centre de Données Astronomiques de Strasbourg 
  • Nemiroff, Robert; Bonnell, Jerry (February 15, 2007), Astronomy Picture of the Day, ASD at NASA / GSFC & Michigan Tech. U. 
  • James, Renée; Marion, Howie (April 2006), "X-treme Stars of the cosmos", Astronomy (Kalmbach Publishing Co.) 34 (4): 34–39  External link in |journal= (help)
  • O'Meara, Stephen James (2007), "Albino Butterfly, Kiss Nebula, Little Lips Nebula: NGC 2440", Hidden Treasures (Cambridge University Press): 204–208 
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