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Planetary nebula

NGC 2440

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A planetary nebula in Puppis with a chaotic structure and two bowtie-shaped lobes.

Measured

Distance
about 4,814 light-years (published estimates 4,432–4,814)
Size
about 0.5 light-years across (approximate)
Constellation
Puppis
Position (J2000)
RA 7h 41m 55s, Dec −18.21°

How far, from the Sun

About 4,810 light-years. To cross it:

  • Light4,810 years
  • Voyager 1's speed85.5 million years
  • Driving at 100 km/h52 billion years

Voyager 1 at the speed it moved outward over the year to 2026-10-25 (JPL Horizons). Driving: nonstop, never refuelling.

Facts

  • Its central white dwarf is one of the hottest known.
  • Its distance is a statistical estimate, uncertain by about 20%.

Where this comes from

  • Statistical distances: Stanghellini & Haywood 2010, ApJ 714, 1096 (1.476 kpc) and Stanghellini, Shaw & Villaver 2008, ApJ 689, 194 (1.359 kpc)
  • This research has made use of the SIMBAD database, CDS, Strasbourg, France (Wenger et al. 2000, A&AS 143, 9).
  • This research has made use of the VizieR catalogue access tool, CDS, Strasbourg, France (DOI: 10.26093/cds/vizier).

Every catalogue Ouranos draws is credited on the credits page.