NGC 2899

NGC 2899 is a planetary nebula in the southern constellation of Vela. It was discovered by English astronomer John Herschel on February 27, 1835. This nebula can be viewed with a moderate-sized amateur telescope, but requires a larger telescope to resolve details. NGC 2899 is located at a distance of 1026 ± from the Sun and 7939 ± from the Galactic Center.

This nebula has an overall kidney shape that is elongated along an axis from WNW to ESE. The overall topology is bipolar with a significant equatorial structure. This shape is believed to result from a binary star system. The mean expansion rate is $2.6 arcminute$, with high velocity structures expanding at $43 km/s$. The core mass of the central star is estimated as $110 km/s$.

The nebula lies within a large cavity in the surrounding medium. This opening has quadrupolar shape with a physical dimension of $~1.2 Solar mass$. The elongation lies along a position angle of $14 pc$, which is aligned with the minor axis of the planetary nebula. This opening was most likely crafted by a fast stellar wind coming from the central star during its asymptotic giant branch stage, prior to the formation of a planetary nebula. The shape and filamentary structures suggest the interaction of a binary star system.