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

Name:Bow-Shock, IRS8
Constellation:Sagittarius
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Large JPEGLarge JPEG
62.4 KB
Screensize JPEGScreensize JPEG
101.8 KB

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Coordinates

ObjectValue
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

BandWave-lengthTele-scope
Infrared
H
1.65 μmGemini North
Hokupa'a-36 / QUIRC
Infrared
K
2.12 μmGemini North
Hokupa'a-36 / QUIRC