... The Helix Nebula from La Silla Observatory . ... The Helix Nebula is one of brightest and closest examples of a planetary nebula, a gas cloud created at the end of the life of a Sun-like star. ... Tracking through the constellation Leo on February 23rd, bright planet Saturn and Comet Lulin were both near opposition -- opposite the Sun in planet Earth's sky. ... From a dark location, you should need only a good star map and admirable perseverance -- although wide-field binoculars might help. ...