Star has comet-like tail
Posted: Thu, Aug 16, 2007, 9:37 AM ET (1337 GMT)
Ultraviolet images taken by a NASA spacecraft have revealed that a well-known star has a comet-like tail that extends for over a dozen light-years. Images of the star Mira taken by NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spacecraft revealed the tail, the first time a star has been found to have such a feature. Astronomers believe the tail consists of material that has been blown off of the aging red giant over the last 30,000 years. The tail exists because the star, about 350 light-years from Earth, is moving relatively rapidly. The tail glows principally in ultraviolet light, which helps explain why it was not previously observed.
Ultraviolet images taken by a NASA spacecraft have revealed that a well-known star has a comet-like tail that extends for over a dozen light-years. Images of the star Mira taken by NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spacecraft revealed the tail, the first time a star has been found to have such a feature. Astronomers believe the tail consists of material that has been blown off of the aging red giant over the last 30,000 years. The tail exists because the star, about 350 light-years from Earth, is moving relatively rapidly. The tail glows principally in ultraviolet light, which helps explain why it was not previously observed.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, October 22
Eutelsat Communications: First Quarter 2025-26 Revenues
Business Wire — 5:06 am ET (0906 GMT) Musk rages at Trump's Transportation head on X: He "is trying to kill NASA!"
Axios — 4:58 am ET (0858 GMT) Muon Satellites To Use SpaceX Starlink Laser Comms
Aviation Week — 4:57 am ET (0857 GMT) SpaceX targets Wednesday morning for Starlink launch out of Vandenberg Space Force Base
KSBY-TV San Luis Obispo, CA — 4:56 am ET (0856 GMT) Oman spaceport seeks to lure launchers from Europe, Asia
Semafor — 4:53 am ET (0853 GMT) |
