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Credit & Copyright: R. O'Dell and K. Handron
(Rice University),
NASA
Explanation:
While exploring the inner edge of the
Helix Nebula with the
Hubble Space Telescope's
Wide Field Planetary Camera 2,
astronomers were able to produce
this striking image - rich in details of an exotic environment.
This planetary nebula, created near the final phase of a sun-like
star's life, is composed of
tenuous shells of gas ejected by the
hot central star.
The atoms of gas, stripped of
electrons by
ultraviolet radiation from the central star,
radiate light at characteristic energies allowing specific
chemical elements to be identified.
In this image, emission from
nitrogen is represented as red,
hydrogen emission as green, and
oxygen as blue.
The inner edge of the
Helix Nebula, also known as NGC 7293, is in the direction toward
the central star, which is toward the bottom right.
Clearly visible near the inner edge are finger shaped
cometary knots.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Helix Nebula - planetary nebula - NGC 7293
Publications with words: Helix Nebula - planetary nebula - NGC 7293
See also:
- APOD: 2024 February 12 Á HFG1 & Abell 6: Planetary Nebulae
- APOD: 2023 December 24 Á NGC 2440: Cocoon of a New White Dwarf
- APOD: 2023 October 3 Á MyCn 18: The Engraved Hourglass Planetary Nebula
- NGC 1360: The Robin's Egg Nebula
- APOD: 2023 May 7 Á The Helix Nebula from CFHT
- APOD: 2023 April 16 Á M2 9: Wings of a Butterfly Nebula
- The Medusa Nebula