Keywords: planetary nebula, NGC 7293
Monitoring M2-9
18.06.2007
NGC 7293: The Helix Nebula
17.04.1996
18.06.2007
Exploring the myriad shapes found in the cosmic zoo of planetary nebulae, some astronomers have focused on the intriguing example of M2-9. About 2,100 light-years away and over one light-year across, M2-9 is known as a twin jet or butterfly nebula in reference to its striking bipolar symmetry.
NGC 7293: The Helix Nebula
17.04.1996
The Helix nebula (New General Catalog number 7293) is estimated to be a mere 450 light-years from the Sun, in the direction of the constellation Aquarius. At that distance it may well be the closest planetary nebula, offering a dramatic snapshot of a brief final evolutionary stage in the life of a solar-type star.
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