The star in the centre of the green area is very old. It has puffed off its outer layers and set them glowing green and red.
Old stars puff off their outer layers when they are running short of the fuel that they burn to shine. As the fires run low, the outer "ashes" fall inwards and then bounce outwards again. Eventually, the central brightness will fade and the outer layers will mix with other gases in space to form new baby stars.
John Reichelt is a scientist with a PhD in Microbiology and an interest in astrophotography as a hobby.
- Subject Matter: Astronomy
- Created: 2015
- Inventory Number: 126
- Collections: John Reichelt Astro Photography