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                           Astronomy Picture of the Day   
      
       Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our   
         fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation   
                       written by a professional astronomer.   
      
                                 2024 February 12   
      The image shows a dark field filled with stars and a diffuse red nebula   
      running across horizontally. In the field are two circular objects that   
      are bright, light colored. The lower object is larger and encircled in   
      a blue glow. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.   
      
                         HFG1 & Abell 6: Planetary Nebulae   
      Image Credit & Copyright: Julien Cadena & Mickael Coulon; Text: Natalia   
                             Lewandowska (SUNY Oswego)   
      
      Explanation: Planetary nebulae like Heckathorn-Fesen-Gull 1 (HFG1) and   
      Abell 6 in the constellation Cassiopeia are remnants from the last   
      phase of a medium sized star like our Sun. In spite of their shapes,   
      planetary nebulae have nothing in common with actual planets. Located   
      in the bottom left part of the featured photo, HFG1 was created by the   
      binary star system V664 Cas, which consists of a white dwarf star and a   
      red giant star. Both stars orbit their center of mass over about half   
      an Earth day. Traveling with the entire nebula at a speed about 300   
      times faster than the fastest train on Earth, V664 Cas generates a   
      bluish arc shaped shock wave. The wave interacts most strongly with the   
      surrounding interstellar medium in the areas where the arc is   
      brightest. After roughly 10,000 years, planetary nebulae become   
      invisible due to a lack of ultraviolet light being emitted by the stars   
      that create them. Displaying beautiful shapes and structures, planetary   
      nebulae are highly desired objects for astrophotographers.   
      
                          Tomorrow's picture: a wolf moon   
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