The European Southern Observatory (ESO) has unveiled an image of a faint nebula called Gum 19. This nebula is about 22,000 light years from Earth in the constellation of Vela, and is not visible from the United States. The nebula is lit by a blue-giant star called V391 Velorum. The surface temperature of V391 Velorum is about 30,000 degrees Celsius, or 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit. V391 Velorum is a Orion Type variable star. This simply means that its brightness varies with time. If you check out the ESO press release, you will also find a video zooming into the Gum 19 nebula.
The furnace that fuels Gum 19’s luminosity is a gigantic, superhot star called V391 Velorum. Shining brightest in the scorching blue range of visible light, V391 Velorum boasts a surface temperature in the vicinity of 30 000 degrees Celsius. This massive star has a temperamental nature, however, and is categorised as a variable star accordingly. V391 Velorum’s brightness can fluctuate suddenly as a result of strong activity that can include ejections of shells of matter, which contribute to Gum 19’s composition and light emissions.
via ESO – eso1014 – The Light and Dark Face of a Star-Forming Nebula.
