Planetary Nebula

Each Planetary Nebula is Unique. Why Do They Look So Different?

When it comes to cosmic eye candy, planetary nebulae are at the top of the candy bowl. Like fingerprints—or maybe…

1 month ago

The Formation of the Southern Ring Nebula was Messier Than the Death of a Single Star

Astronomers have learned a planetary nebula had a much more complex origin than originally thought.

6 months ago

ESO Finds the Ghostly Image of a Dying Star

Astronomical images never cease to delight, and the European Southern Observatory's image of the Vela nebula is no exception. (more…)

7 months ago

20 Years of Hubble Photos Show how the Stingray Nebula is Fading

The Stingray Nebula is the youngest known planetary nebula. For half a century astronomers have witnessed its formation, and now…

2 years ago

New Hubble Photos of Planetary Nebulae

Planetary nebulae are astronomy's gateway drug. Their eye-catching forms make us wonder what process created them, and what else is…

3 years ago

Planets Started Out From Dust Clumping Together. Here’s How

A new study by a team of German physicists and an American biomedical engineer has solved a long-standing problem in…

3 years ago

This Star Has Reached the End of its Life

About 10,000 light years away, in the constellation Centaurus, is a planetary nebula called NGC 5307. A planetary nebula is…

4 years ago

Can You Spot a Planetary Nebula from a Few Blurry Pixels? Astronomers Can – Here’s How

A planetary nebula is one of the most beautiful objects in the universe. Formed from the decaying remnants of a…

4 years ago

Messier 76 – the NGC 650/651 Planetary Nebula

Located in the Perseus constellation, about 2,500 light years from Earth, is the planetary nebula known as Messier 76.

4 years ago

Binary Stars Orbiting Each Other INSIDE a Planetary Nebula

An international team of astronomers recently observed an unexpected sight, a binary star system that is set to collide and…

5 years ago