---
title: "Astronomy Picture of the Day: 10/23/13 – NGC 1555"
description: "[caption id=\"attachment_8292\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"672\"] Credit: Mt. Lemmon, AZ/ of Adam Block[/caption]   This nebula, NGC 1555 (also known as Hind’s Variable Nebula), is located 400 light-years from Earth (in the Taurus constellation). The yellowish star near the center of the nebula is THE T Tauri, the star that spawned a new stellar species. Surrounding the star..."
date: "2013-10-23"
modified: "2013-10-23"
authors:
  - name: "Jaime Trosper"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/jaimefqtq"
url: "https://futurism.com/astronomy-picture-of-the-day-102313-ngc-1555-2"
categories:
  - "From Quarks to Quasars"
---

# Astronomy Picture of the Day: 10/23/13 – NGC 1555

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1391857_244202929061441_553166932_n11.jpg>)

[![Credit: Mt. Lemmon, AZ/ of Adam Block](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1391857_244202929061441_553166932_n.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1391857_244202929061441_553166932_n.jpg>)
*Credit: Mt. Lemmon, AZ/ of Adam Block *Image: Shutterstock**

This nebula, NGC 1555 (also known as [Hind’s Variable Nebula](<http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110326.html>)), is located 400 light-years from Earth (in the Taurus constellation). The yellowish star near the center of the nebula is THE T Tauri, the star that spawned[ a new stellar species](<http://www.aavso.org/vsots_ttau>). Surrounding the star is the nebula itself; a reflection nebula that lies on the edge of a large molecular cloud.

It is thought that T Tauri may actually have two or more companion stars, with only T Tauri visible at optical wavelengths. One of the other two shines in infrared - whilst the other is a heavy source of radio waves. The other companion may have been ejected from the system entirely, or flung into a much wider orbit, after a close encounter with T Tauri.

Another thing to note about this nebula is that the star powering it - and other T Tauri stars similarly - is known to vary in brightness exponentially. This particular star has an apparent magnitude that can [range anywhere from a 9.3 to a 14](<http://www.aavso.org/vsots_ttau>)!

## Author
Jaime is a freelance writer, who finds great joy in sharing the wonders of universe with others. She used this passion to launch "From Quarks to Quasars" in 2012.