IRS-8 Bow-Shock
The object, known by the unglamorous name of IRS8, was only an ill-defined smudge until Gemini came along. Now, the Gemini telescope's advanced optics show that IRS8 appears to be a star that is plowing through a poorly understood gas and dust cloud near the galactic center. Moving relative to the cloud, the star creates a very obvious bow-shock wave, similar to the wave that forms in front of a boat as it goes through water. See Image Release for details Technical Details: Images obtained in July and August 2000 using Gemini with Hokupa'a/QUIRC Adaptive Optics system. Each image is made from H (1.65µm) and K' (2.1µm) filters. Pixel scale is approximately 0.02 arcsec/pixel. Integration times ranged from 10-15 minutes pe
Credit:International Gemini Observatory, National Science Foundation and the University of Hawaii Adaptive Optics Group
About the Image
Id: | gemini-bowshock-color |
Type: | Observation |
Release date: | Oct. 16, 2000, 8 p.m. |
Related releases: | gemini0002 |
Size: | 512 x 512 px |
About the Object
Wallpapers
Coordinates
Position (RA): | 17 45 40.15 |
Position (Dec): | -29° 0' 0.65" |
Field of view: | 0.17 x 0.17 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 0.1° right of vertical |
Colors & filters
Band | Wave-length | Tele-scope |
---|---|---|
Infrared H | 1.65 μm | Gemini North Hokupa'a-36 / QUIRC |
Infrared K | 2.12 μm | Gemini North Hokupa'a-36 / QUIRC |