Abell 36 is a planetary nebula, the glowing remains expelled
by a star that finally reached the end of its fuel. These objects
are relatively short-lived by cosmic standards, lasting only about
5,000-10,000 years before they dissipate and spread their elements into
the galaxy to form the building blocks of new stars and planets.

The central star which formed this nebula has evolved into a white dwarf,
the compact and hot remnant of the former star (it is about 12 times hotter
than our own sun). That intense environment ionizes the expelled gas, and causes
it to glow. The red areas in the nebula are hydrogen, and the blue-green areas
are oxygen.

Abell 36 is about 800 light years from earth, and 1.5 light years in diameter.
It is located in the constellation Virgo.

Image data:
Telescope: Planewave 17"
Camera: SBIG STXL-11002
Exposure:
Red, Green, Blue: 30 minutes each
Hydrogen-alpha: 11 hours
Oxygen III: 10 hours
(total exposure: 22 1/2 hours)

Location: Heaven's Mirror Observatory,
New South Wales, Australia