SuWt 2
SuWt 2 is a planetary nebula viewed almost edge-on in the constellation of Centaurus. It is believed that high UV radiation from an undiscovered white dwarf ionizes this nebula. Currently, there is a binary system consisting of two A-type main-sequence stars whose radiation is not sufficient to photo-ionize the surrounding nebula. The nebula is easily obscured by the brighter star, HD 121228.
| Emission nebula | |
|---|---|
| Planetary nebula | |
Image of SuWt 2 taken from the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. | |
| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 13h 55m 43.23s |
| Declination | −59° 22′ 40.03″ |
| Distance | 6,500 ly |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 11.52 |
| Constellation | Centaurus |
| Designations | PN G311.0+02.4, DENIS J135543.2-592239, GSC 08676-01161, 2MASS J13554323-5922398, PK 311+02 2 |
It has been suggested that it has a triple stellar system. One of them, which is more massive than other two A-type main-sequence stars, evolved rapidly and became a red giant, swallowing the other two stars, and produced the planetary nebula.
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