Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cygnus (Cyg)  ·  Contains:  Crescent Nebula  ·  NGC 6888
Crescent Nebula - 10/1/2010 (HaRGB), AstroPoverty
Crescent Nebula - 10/1/2010 (HaRGB)
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Crescent Nebula - 10/1/2010 (HaRGB)

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Description

The Crescent Nebula (NGC6888) is a rare sight in the Milky Way. The shape of this nebula is a distinct result of gases and energy colliding in a unique way. The star in the center of the nebula (large white) is classified as a Wolf-Rayet star. These stars are amongst the largest known stars that are capable of existing (physically) and only 300 or so are known to exist. These stars are so massive and energetic that they have only a small fraction of the life of stars like our own. These stars can enter the "red giant" phase of their life in only a million or so years. Smaller stars (like the sun) will not enter the red giant phase for several billion years. During the red giant phase, this star will shed its outer shells as gas. Later in life, the Wolf-Rayet star will begin to emit extremely high energy stellar winds. This wind colliding with the gases it shed during its red giant phase (about 400,000 years ago) creates the unique crescent shape as the wind is deflected.

NGC 6888 is approximately 5000 light years distant and is located in the constellation Cygnus. From edge to edge, the Crescent Nebula spans 20 light light years across.

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Crescent Nebula - 10/1/2010 (HaRGB), AstroPoverty