K1-2 is a planetary nebula in the constellation Pyxis. It was discovered by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek in 1961.[1] The central star of the nebula—VW Pyxidis—is a post-common-envelope binary composed of a hot degenerate star and a cooler companion in a close orbit. A best-fit calculation from its orbit and spectra yields a white dwarf-like star with around 50% of the Sun's mass and a main sequence lie star around 70% as massive as the Sun. Jets of matter are emanating from the system. One study yielded a surface temperature of 85,000 K for the hotter star.[2]
| Emission nebula | |
|---|---|
| Planetary nebula | |
| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 08h 57m 45.99s |
| Declination | −28° 57′ 36.8″ |
| Constellation | Pyxis |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | - ly |
| Absolute magnitude (V) | - |
| Notable features | - |
| Designations | VW Pyxidis (central star), IRAS 08556-2846 |
References
edit- ^ Kohoutek, Luboš (1962). "New planetary nebulae". Bulletin of the Astronomical Institute of Czechoslovakia. 13: 120. Bibcode:1962BAICz..13..120K.
- ^ Exter, K. M.; Pollacco, D. L.; Bell, S. A. (2003). "The planetary nebula K 1-2 and its binary central star VW Pyx". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 341 (4): 1349–59. Bibcode:2003MNRAS.341.1349E. doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06505.x.
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