Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

NGC 2440: Cocoon of a New White Dwarf

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 24, 2023 is “NGC 2440: Cocoon of a New White Dwarf,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit: NASA , ESA , Hubble ; Processing: H. Bond ( STScI ), R. Ciardullo ( PSU ), Forrest Hamilton (STScI). The original explanation runs about 103 words.

A nebula in purple and pink is shown with dust pillars curving around. In the center is a bright orange spot. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.
Credit: Image Credit: NASA , ESA , Hubble ; Processing: H. Bond ( STScI ), R. Ciardullo ( PSU ), Forrest Hamilton (STScI) Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“What’s that in the center? Like a butterfly , a white dwarf star begins its life by casting off a cocoon of gas that enclosed its former self.”

— APOD editors, December 24, 2023

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
December 24, 2023
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Image Credit: NASA , ESA , Hubble ; Processing: H. Bond ( STScI ), R. Ciardullo ( PSU ), Forrest Hamilton (STScI)
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 103 words

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Topics in this entry

The Sun

Topics are matched from words in the title and explanation.

On this day: December 24 in other years

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.