Image Release: Stunning photo previews the death of our Sun

A beautiful image has been released today (November 25th) by the Gemini
Telescope showing the death of a star (planetary nebula M2-9) as it
transforms from a regular star to a white dwarf. In the process the
star
casts off an ethereal envelope of gas in concentric shells - the
formation of these shells are still a mystery to astronomers and this
image is part of new data that will help them to advance our
understanding of the phenomenon.

It is thought that when our Sun has used up all its hydrogen fuel in 4
to 5 billion years it will meet a similar fate.

The image was taken at the Gemini North Telescope in Hawaii. Gemini
operates twin telescopes that are two of the largest in the world. For
this image, astronomers used the newly upgraded ALTAIR adaptive optics
system which helps them correct any distortion of light due to the
atmosphere (the effect that makes stars appear to twinkle).

Notes for Editors

Image Credit: Gemini Observatory/Travis Rector, University of Alaska
Anchorage
Image is available to download from
http://www.pparc.ac.uk/Nw/Gemini_image_nebula.asp

Contact

Julia Maddock
PPARC Press Office
Tel 01793 442094 Mobile 07901 514 975
Email Julia.maddock@pparc.ac.uk

The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) is the
UK"s strategic science investment agency. It funds research,
education and public understanding in four areas of science - particle
physics, astronomy, cosmology and space science.

PPARC is government funded and provides research grants and
studentships to scientists in British universities, gives researchers
access to world-class facilities and funds the UK membership of
international bodies such as the European Laboratory for Particle
Physics (CERN), and the European Space Agency. It also contributes
money
for the UK telescopes overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Australia and in
Chile, the UK Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory,
Edinburgh and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, which includes the
Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank observatory.

PPARC"s Public Understanding of Science and Technology Awards Scheme
funds both small local projects and national initiatives aimed at
improving public understanding of its areas of science.

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