NGC 7027: The Pillow Planetary Nebula
Planetary nebulae are often spectacular cosmic displays, but NGC 7027 stands out for its unique appearance and intriguing characteristics. Dubbed both the "Pillow Nebula" and the "Flying Carpet Nebula," this celestial object presents a puzzle to astronomers, offering a glimpse into the late stages of stellar life.
A Nebula of Unusual Shape and Size
NGC 7027 is recognized as one of the smallest, brightest, and most unusually shaped planetary nebulas known. Its expansion rate suggests that its visible expansion from Earth began only about 600 years ago. For much of its history, the nebula has been expelling shells of gas and dust, a process vividly captured in blue by the Hubble Space Telescope in the featured image.
The Mystery of the Four Corners
In more recent times, for reasons yet unknown, NGC 7027 has begun ejecting gas and dust in specific directions, creating a striking pattern with what appears to be four distinct corners, visible in brown in the image. This unusual directional expulsion sets it apart from many other observed planetary nebulae.
What Lies at the Center?
The heart of NGC 7027 remains a subject of scientific curiosity. One leading hypothesis suggests the presence of a close binary star system. In this scenario, one star could be shedding gas onto an erratic disk that orbits the other star, driving the nebula's complex morphology.
A Viewable Wonder
Located approximately 3,000 light-years away, NGC 7027 was first discovered in 1878. For stargazers with a standard backyard telescope, this fascinating object can be observed in the constellation of the Swan (Cygnus).
Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble; Processing: Delio Tolivia Cadrecha
