NGC 2438

NGC 2438 is a planetary nebula about 3,000 light years away in the constellation Puppis.[1] It was discovered by William Herschel on March 19, 1786.[2] NGC 2438 appears to lie within the cluster M46, but it is most likely unrelated since it does not share the cluster's radial velocity.[3][4] The case is yet another example of a superposed pair, joining the famed case of NGC 2818.[3][5]

NGC 2438
Emission nebula
Planetary nebula
NGC 2438
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Right ascension07h 41.8m
Declination-14° 44′
Distance2,900 ly ly
Apparent magnitude (V)+10.8
Apparent dimensions (V)1.1 arcmins
ConstellationPuppis
Physical characteristics
Radius- ly
Absolute magnitude (V)-
Notable featuresSuperimposed
on Messier 46
DesignationsH IV.39, FC 87, PK 231+4.2

Long exposures have shown that this planetary nebula has an extended double halo,[6] while the more easily visible portion probably dates to the death of the red giant in its center.[2]

Central star

The central star of this planetary nebula is a 17.7-magnitude white dwarf,[2] with surface temperature of about 75,000 K (74,700 °C).[7] It is one of the hottest stars known.

HaRGB image of the planetary nebula NGC 2348, from the Liverpool Telescope
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gollark: No. This is not true. Sid has 7+2i dinners.
gollark: Except now while I have a quick break for lunch.
gollark: Initiating orbital bee strike, none are safe.
gollark: > Call it post-modernism.No. I will call it Sid.

See also

References
  1. Nemiroff, R.; Bonnell, J., eds. (2011-04-07). "Planetary Nebula NGC 2438". Astronomy Picture of the Day. NASA. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
  2. "NGC Objects: NGC 2400 - 2449". Retrieved 2011-04-08.
  3. Majaess D. J., Turner D., Lane D. (2007). In Search of Possible Associations between Planetary Nebulae and Open Clusters, PASP, 119, 1349
  4. Kiss, L. L., Szabó, Gy. M., Balog, Z., Parker, Q. A., Frew, D. J. (2008). AAOmega radial velocities rule out current membership of the planetary nebula NGC 2438 in the open cluster M46, MNRAS
  5. Mermilliod, J.-C., Clariá, J. J., Andersen, J., Piatti, A. E., Mayor, M. (2001). Red giants in open clusters. IX. NGC 2324, 2818, 3960 and 6259, A&A
  6. "NGC 2438". SEDS. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
  7. "Planetary Nebula NGC 2438 in Puppis". Retrieved 2011-04-08.

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