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Chapter 16: Problem 50

In the Hubble telescope news archive, look up press releases on planetary nebulae (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter /archive/releases/nebula/planetary) and white dwarf stars (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/star / white-dwarf). Pick a story for each. What observations were reported, and why were they important?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Find one story on planetary nebulae and another on white dwarfs from Hubble's archive, summarize their observations and explain each's significance.

Step by step solution

01

- Access the Hubble Telescope Website

Go to http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/nebula/planetary to explore press releases about planetary nebulae.
02

- Select a Planetary Nebula Story

Choose an interesting press release about planetary nebulae. Read through the article to gather information on the observations reported.
03

- Note Observations on Planetary Nebulae

Summarize the key observations mentioned in the selected story. Pay attention to any data, images, or conclusions reported.
04

- Importance of Planetary Nebula Observations

Summarize why the reported observations on the planetary nebula are scientifically significant. Mention any new discoveries or insights.
05

- Access the White Dwarf Press Releases

Go to http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/star/white-dwarf to find stories about white dwarf stars.
06

- Select a White Dwarf Story

Choose a relevant press release about white dwarf stars. Read through the article carefully.
07

- Note Observations on White Dwarf Stars

Summarize the observations reported for the selected white dwarf star press release.
08

- Importance of White Dwarf Observations

Explain the scientific importance of the observations reported in the white dwarf story. Highlight any new findings or implications.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Hubble Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope is one of the most crucial instruments for astronomical observations. Launched in 1990, this powerful telescope orbits Earth and captures high-resolution images of space, free from the distortion caused by Earth's atmosphere. It has allowed scientists to observe distant galaxies, stars, and other celestial phenomena in remarkable detail. These observations have led to numerous significant discoveries about the universe. The Hubble Telescope uses various instruments, such as cameras and spectrographs, to collect data in different wavelengths of light, providing a comprehensive view of the cosmos.
Planetary Nebulae
Planetary nebulae are the glowing shells of gas and plasma formed when a star exhausts its fuel and sheds its outer layers. This phenomenon occurs in the final stages of a star's life cycle. The Hubble Telescope has captured stunning images of these nebulae, revealing intricate shapes and vivid colors. Observations of planetary nebulae help astronomers understand the processes involved in stellar evolution.
Some key details include:
  • The formation of complex structures within the nebulae.
  • The role of stellar winds and magnetic fields in shaping these structures.
  • The chemical composition and temperature variations within the nebula.
By analyzing these characteristics, scientists can gain insight into the lifecycle of stars and the chemical enrichment of the universe.
White Dwarf Stars
White dwarfs are the remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel and shed their outer layers, leaving behind a dense, hot core. These stars are extremely compact, with masses comparable to the Sun but volumes similar to Earth. The Hubble Telescope has provided valuable observations of white dwarf stars, enhancing our understanding of their properties and behavior.
Observations have revealed:
  • The temperature and luminosity of white dwarfs.
  • The presence of thin atmospheres composed of elements like hydrogen and helium.
  • The effect of cooling over time on these stellar remnants.
Understanding white dwarfs aids in studying the ultimate fate of stars, including our own Sun, and contributes to the broader knowledge of stellar evolution and the dynamics of binary star systems.
Astronomical Discoveries
Astronomical discoveries made with the Hubble Telescope have significantly advanced our knowledge of the universe. Through its detailed observations, Hubble has helped to identify new celestial objects, unravel the mysteries of galaxy formation, and measure the expansion rate of the universe. Some notable discoveries include:
  • The presence of supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies.
  • The acceleration of the universe's expansion.
  • The intricate details of star formation in distant galaxies.
These discoveries are pivotal in understanding the fundamental principles of astrophysics and cosmology. They provide clues to the history and future of the universe.
Scientific Significance
The scientific significance of the Hubble Telescope's observations cannot be overstated. By providing clear and detailed images of the universe, Hubble has revolutionized our understanding of many cosmic phenomena. The data collected has been used to test theoretical models, confirming or refuting scientific hypotheses. Key contributions include:
  • Accurate measurements of the age of the universe.
  • Insights into the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
  • Understanding the life cycles of stars and the processes of galaxy evolution.
The Hubble Telescope continues to be an indispensable tool for astronomers, enabling groundbreaking research and furthering our knowledge of the universe.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Why is a horizontal branch star (which burns helium at a high temperature) less luminous than a red giant branch star (which burns hydrogen at a lower temperature)?

As an AGB star evolves into a white dwarf, it runs out of nuclear fuel, and one might guess that the star should cool off and move to the right on the H-R diagram. Why does the star move instead to the left? a. It becomes larger. b. More of the star is involved in fusion. c. As outer layers are lost, deeper layers are exposed. d. The temperature of the core rises.

A planetary nebula glows because a. it is hot enough to emit UV radiation. b. fusion is happening in the nebula. c. it is heating up the interstellar medium around it. d. light from the central star causes emission lines.

Place the following steps in the evolution of a low-mass star in order. a. main-sequence star b. planetary nebula ejection c. horizontal branch d. helium flash e. red giant branch f. asymptotic giant branch g. white dwarf

A planetary nebula has an expansion rate of \(20 \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{s}\) and a lifetime of 50,000 years. Roughly how large will this planetary nebula grow before it disperses?
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