Bipolar planetary nebula NGC 6537

This image shows an example of a bipolar planetary nebula known as NGC 6537 taken with the New Technology Telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory. The shape, reminiscent of a butterfly or an hourglass, was formed as a Sun-like star approached the end of its life and puffed its outer layers into the surrounding space. For bipolar nebulae, this material is funnelled towards the poles of the ageing star, creating the distinctive double-lobed structure.

Observations using the NTT and Hubble have found that bipolar planetary nebulae located towards the central bulge of our Milky Way appear to be strangely aligned in the sky  — a surprising result given their varied and chaotic formation.

NGC 6537, which lies much closer to the Earth, was not part of the new study.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso1338a
Type:Observation
Release date:4 September 2013, 15:00
Related releases:eso1338
Size:847 x 790 px

About the Object

Name:NGC 6537
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Planetary
Constellation:Sagittarius
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Large JPEG
313.0 KB
Screensize JPEG
261.1 KB

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Coordinates

Position (RA):18 5 13.12
Position (Dec):-19° 50' 34.68"
Field of view:3.39 x 3.16 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.3° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Optical
B
New Technology Telescope
EFOSC
Optical
V
New Technology Telescope
EFOSC
Optical
H-alpha
New Technology Telescope
EFOSC
Optical
R
New Technology Telescope
EFOSC2