NGC 6326 is a complex and irregularly structured planetary nebula located in the constellation Ara. It was discovered by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop on 26 August 1826. NGC 6326 is the result of the ejected material from the central binary star, which is nearing the end of its life. The blue and red color is due to the amount of radiation the star releases, thus causing the gasses to glow. NGC 6326 is located at about 11,000 light years away from Earth.
_q.jpg)
HINT:
In this Dossier
NGC 6326 in the context of Planetary nebula
A planetary nebula is a type of emission nebula consisting of an expanding, glowing shell of ionized gas ejected from red giant stars late in their lives.
The term "planetary nebula" is a misnomer because they are unrelated to planets. The term originates from the planet-like round shape of these nebulae observed by astronomers through early telescopes. The first usage may have occurred during the 1780s with the English astronomer William Herschel who described these nebulae as resembling planets; however, as early as January 1779, the French astronomer Antoine Darquier de Pellepoix described in his observations of the Ring Nebula, "very dim but perfectly outlined; it is as large as Jupiter and resembles a fading planet".Though the modern interpretation is different, the old term is still used.
View the full Wikipedia page for Planetary nebula