K 1-2
Planetary nebula in the constellation Pyxis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
K1-2 is a planetary nebula in the constellation Pyxis. It was discovered by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek in 1961.[1] The central star of the nebula—VW Pyxidis—is a post-common-envelope binary composed of a hot degenerate star and a cooler companion in a close orbit. A best-fit calculation from its orbit and spectra yields a white dwarf-like star with around 50% of the Sun's mass and a main sequence lie star around 70% as massive as the Sun. Jets of matter are emanating from the system. One study yielded a surface temperature of 85,000 K for the hotter star.[2]
| Emission nebula | |
|---|---|
| Planetary nebula | |
| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 08h 57m 45.99s |
| Declination | −28° 57′ 36.8″ |
| Constellation | Pyxis |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | - ly |
| Absolute magnitude (V) | - |
| Notable features | - |
| Designations | VW Pyxidis (central star), IRAS 08556-2846 |
