Posted at CNN.COM:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/08/16/star.tail.reut/index.html
The star Mira in the constellation Cetus has developed a tail of sorts, that is suprising to astronomers since Mira is such a well studied star. There is a small image of the tail -a tail spanning 13 light years- with the CNN article. Spectral analysis shows that the star is trailing nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen - enough, reportedly to form 3,000 earth-sized planets.
NASA's Galaxy Evolution Orbiter, a UV space telescope, made the discovery.
I find this to be just stunning. I know it's just a natural process, but something about seeing the small image of this star shedding its material in its wake is just impressive. How much there is for us yet to discover... out there, and down here on earth too!
Wikipedia has an even cooler image posted:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mira-uv-bow-shock-tail-vertical.jpg
Rob+
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/08/16/star.tail.reut/index.html
The star Mira in the constellation Cetus has developed a tail of sorts, that is suprising to astronomers since Mira is such a well studied star. There is a small image of the tail -a tail spanning 13 light years- with the CNN article. Spectral analysis shows that the star is trailing nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen - enough, reportedly to form 3,000 earth-sized planets.
NASA's Galaxy Evolution Orbiter, a UV space telescope, made the discovery.
I find this to be just stunning. I know it's just a natural process, but something about seeing the small image of this star shedding its material in its wake is just impressive. How much there is for us yet to discover... out there, and down here on earth too!
Wikipedia has an even cooler image posted:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mira-uv-bow-shock-tail-vertical.jpg
Rob+
