Helix Nebula, Hst Image is a photograph by Nasaesastscit.rector, Nrao which was uploaded on May 8th, 2013.
Helix Nebula, Hst Image
Helix Nebula. Hubble Space Telescope image of the Helix planetary nebula (NGC 7293). This comprises shells of gas cast off a Sun-like star near the... more
Title
Helix Nebula, Hst Image
Artist
Nasaesastscit.rector, Nrao
Medium
Photograph
Description
Helix Nebula. Hubble Space Telescope image of the Helix planetary nebula (NGC 7293). This comprises shells of gas cast off a Sun-like star near the end of its life. The colours are due to gases in the shells being ionised by radiation from the central star that ejected them. The blue colour comes from oxygen and the red from hydrogen and nitrogen. Despite its ring shape, it is thought that the nebula is actually a cylinder aligned end on to Earth. This is one of the nearest planetary nebulae to Earth, lying 650 light years away in the constellation Aquarius. It is 3 light years in diameter, and appears half a Moon-width wide.
Uploaded
May 8th, 2013