The Hubble Space Telescope is known for capturing breathtaking images of galaxies, stars and other celestial bodies. Its latest image, released in July 2020, is one of the most stunning views yet. The image captures the dramatic penultimate stage of the life of a star, providing a glimpse into what is often described as a star’s “last gasp”.
The star in the image is an R Coronae Borealis, also known as an R CrB variable star. This type of star is generally large, bright and variable in brightness, and is made up of carbon-rich dust. As the star approaches the end of its life cycle, it sheds huge amounts of its mass in the form of dust and other material. This, in turn, forms a surrounding nebula of dust and gas, which can be seen in the image.
The image is made up of observations from both the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The Chandra data allowed for a detailed look at the X-ray component of the nebula, providing a deeper insight into the star and its surroundings.
The star’s nebula is slowly expanding, with material from the star slowly being ejected from its middle. By studying the dynamics of the star, astronomers can learn more about its evolution. They can also better understand the physics behind producing these kind of nebulae and the properties of stellar mass loss.
The star featured in the image is around 12,000 light-years away, and is located in the constellation Draco. It is estimated to be in its last few hundred thousand years of life, and hence its eventual death will be witnessed by humanity in the distant future.
The Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory have provided humanity with beautiful images of the universe like never before. By studying the images such as the one of this particular star, astronomers are able to better understand the life and death of a star, and the physics involved in the formation of nebulae.
This compelling image of a star in its penultimate stage is a reminder of the power of science and its capacity to uncover the hidden secrets of the universe.
