Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Ophiuchus (Oph)  ·  Contains:  PK010+18.1  ·  PK010+18.2
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Minkowski 2-9 – The Twin Jet Nebula, Gary Imm
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Minkowski 2-9 – The Twin Jet Nebula

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Minkowski 2-9 – The Twin Jet Nebula, Gary Imm
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Minkowski 2-9 – The Twin Jet Nebula

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Description

This object, often abbreviated M2-9, is a tiny bipolar planetary nebula located 5500 light years away in the constellation of Ophiuchus at a declination of -10 degrees. This nebula spans 1 arc-minute in our apparent view, which corresponds to an actual length of 1.5 light years.

The twin lobes of this object have formed from the outflow of a central binary system. Scientists have estimated that this process started about 1000 years ago. Unlike most planetary nebulae, the central star is reddish and not bluish. It is believed that this reddish star is the larger companion of the binary system.

Bipolar planetary nebulae are not that unusual. However, this one appears unique to me because of its thin aspect ratio, unlike a "fatter" bipolar nebula such as M76. My guess is that this thinner nature is due to the speed of the bi-polar jets, which is perhaps why this object is nicknamed the Twin Jet Nebula.

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