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NGC 6326, a planetary nebula with glowing wisps of outpouring gas that are lit up by a binary [3] central star. A planetary nebula is a type of emission nebula consisting of an expanding, glowing shell of ionized gas ejected from red giant stars late in their lives.
Learn about the final stage of a low-mass star's life, when it sheds its outer layers and creates a glowing shell of gas. Find out how planetary nebulae are formed, how long they last and what happens to the star's core.
Planetary nebula, any of a class of bright nebulae that are expanding shells of luminous gas expelled by dying stars. They have a relatively round compact appearance rather than the chaotic patchy shapes of other nebulae—hence their name, which was given because of their resemblance to planetary.
Learn how dying stars form planetary nebulas, the beautiful clouds of gas and dust that glow in different colors. Explore the atoms, molecules, shapes, and evolution of these cosmic phenomena with Harvard & Smithsonian scientists.
Jul 12, 2022 · Learn how Webb’s infrared view reveals the Southern Ring planetary nebula, a shell of gas and dust ejected by a dimmer star in a tight orbit with a brighter star. See how the stars shape the nebula and how dust enriches the interstellar medium.
Oct 14, 2022 · What Is a Planetary Nebula? A planetary nebula is a region of cosmic gas and dust formed from the cast-off outer layers of a dying star. Despite their name, planetary nebulae actually have nothing to do with planets. Intermediate-mass stars have a mass between 80% and 800% of the Sun’s mass.
The Dumbbell, a nearby planetary nebula residing more than 1,200 light-years away, is the result of an old star that has shed its outer layers in a glowing display of color. The nebula, also known as Messier 27 (M27), was the first planetary nebula ever discovered.
