This radiation ionises the remnant circumstellar envelope, producing the optically-visible planetary nebula. The planetary nebula is still expanding however, and eventually its material will disperse into space, leaving the exposed white dwarf.
What does a planetary nebulae lose?
What does planetary nebula leave behind?
white dwarf stars The hot planetary-nebula nucleus left behind has…
What do planetary nebulae contain?
A planetary nebula is an astronomical object consisting of a glowing shell of gas and plasma formed by certain types of stars at the end of their lives. They are in fact unrelated to planets; the name originates from a supposed similarity in appearance to giant planets.
What are some of the characteristics of planetary nebula?
Planetary nebulae are considerably denser than most H II regions, typically containing 1,000–10,000 atoms per cubic cm within their dense regions, and have a surface brightness 1,000 times larger.
What does a planetary nebula do?
Planetary nebulae probably play a crucial role in the chemical evolution of the Milky Way by expelling elements into the interstellar medium from stars where those elements were created. Planetary nebulae are observed in more distant galaxies, yielding useful information about their chemical abundances.
What is the difference between nebula and planetary nebula?
A: A nebula refers to clouds of dust and gas that lie between stars, in so-called interstellar space. A planetary nebula is a special type of nebula made when the outer layers of an old, giant star are thrown off into space.
What does a planetary nebula have to do with planets?
Despite the name, they have nothing to do with planets. They got this name because astronomers using small telescopes long ago, thought they looked a bit like planets. Low-mass stars turn into planetary nebulae towards the end of their red giant phase.
How does a planetary nebula happen?
A planetary nebula is created when a star blows off its outer layers after it has run out of fuel to burn. These outer layers of gas expand into space, forming a nebula which is often the shape of a ring or bubble.
What happens planetary nebula?
The planetary nebula phase is a final stage in a low-mass star's life. During this phase, the star sheds its outer layers. This creates an expanding, glowing shell of very hot gas. … Eventually it will form part of the clouds of dust and gas where new stars form.