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How big is the Blinking Nebula?

The Blinking Nebula is 4.5 petametre

Introduction: The Wonders of the Blinking Nebula

Have you ever wondered about the size of the universe and the fascinating objects in it? The Blinking Nebula, also known as NGC 6826 or Caldwell 15, is one of these intriguing cosmic bodies. It’s called the Blinking Nebula because when you observe it through a small telescope, it seems to “blink” in and out of view due to the brightness of its central star.

The Size of the Blinking Nebula

Now, let’s delve into the size of the Blinking Nebula. It’s not as big as some of the larger nebulae out there, but it’s still impressive. The Blinking Nebula extends approximately 0.22 light-years, or around 1.3 trillion miles across. To help visualize that, let’s consider some comparisons:

  • It’s about 14,000 times the distance from the Earth to the Sun. Our planet is about 93 million miles from the Sun, so that’s quite a distance! - If you were to travel at the speed of light (which is about 186,282 miles per second), it would take you about 0.22 years to go from one side of the Blinking Nebula to the other.

Distinctive Features of the Blinking Nebula

Apart from its size, another feature that stands out in the Blinking Nebula are the two bright patches on either side, known as Fast Low-Ionization Emission Regions or FLIERS. These FLIERS are moving outwards at supersonic speeds, suggesting that they’re relatively young. At the heart of the nebula is an O-type star with a spectral type of O6fp. This central star’s overwhelming brightness tends to obscure the surrounding nebula when looked at directly, but using averted vision can help bring the nebula into view.

Conclusion: The Fascinating Blinking Nebula

The Blinking Nebula, with its impressive size and distinctive features, is indeed a wonder of the cosmos. It’s a testament to the vastness and complexity of the universe we inhabit. So next time when you look up at the night sky, remember that there are celestial bodies like the Blinking Nebula out there, blinking and shining, thousands of trillions of miles away!

Key Points

  • The Blinking Nebula, also known as NGC 6826 or Caldwell 15, is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Cygnus.
  • It measures approximately 0.22 light-years or about 1.3 trillion miles across.
  • The nebula is known for its “blinking” appearance due to the brightness of its central star. - Two bright patches known as FLIERS are a distinctive feature of the Blinking Nebula, moving outwards at supersonic speeds. - The central star of the nebula is an O-type star with a spectral type of O6fp.
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