ce_anim_720.mov

An illustrative animation of the so called "common envelope" evolution in a binary star that might eventually produce a complex planetary nebula. Although this is "just" an illustration, it uses some of the relevant physical processes to simulate the gravitational behaviour of the gas, resulting in a probably quite accurate depiction of the main phenomena. The individual square particles represent packets of gas from the large inflated red giant star that is torn apart by its companion. Recently, I used a variant of this video in a review talk on the dynamics of planetary nebulae at the IAU symposium 283 on "Planetary Nebulae: An Eye on the Future".

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• 3D animation
• planetary nebula
• common envelope
• astrophysics
• stars
• binary stars space