Toby Jug Nebula, IC 2220

Toby Jug Nebula, IC 2220,  Pictured above is the IC 2220 – the Toby Jug Nebula – a reflecting planetary nebula surrounding a  dying red giant star star. It is located in the southern constellation Carina and is 1200 light years distant.  This nebula appears to have been created from the current phase of mass-loss from the central star.   The inner part of the nebula has an almost symmetrical bipolar structure, made up of gas and dust, reflecting light of the central red giant star HR 3136. As HR 3126 swelled, its atmosphere expanded and it began to shed its outer layers. The expelled stellar material flowed out into the surrounding area, forming a magnificent structure of gas and dust that reflects the light from the central star. Detailed studies of the Toby Jug Nebula in infrared light have revealed that silicon dioxide (silica) is the most likely compound reflecting HR3126’s light. This is rarely seen because the end-of-life phase of this type of star is relatively brief. Astronomers think that it is formed following the interaction between the dying red giant and a former companion star. The outer “space ship” shape is emission from hydrogen gas and its red color comes from the the hydrogen alpha emission line.

The bipolar inner nebula was imaged by the 17″ Planewave CDK17 and the red outer portion and the surrounding star field was imaged by the 14″ Planewave DR350.