Picture of Planetary Nebula: NGC 6751
Pluto Home |
Go back
This planetary nebula, NGC 6751, was formed several thousand years ago when the star in its center ejected some of its material.
Planetary nebulae look like planets in small telescopes. They have nothing else in common with planets.
They are clouds of gas thrown off by stars that are nearing the ends of their lives.
There is no need for concern however: our own Sun will only eject a planetary nebula like this around 6 billion years from now.
The blue areas in this picture are the hottest glowing gas. The orange and red areas are cooler.
NGC 6751 is 0.8 light-years in diameter, 600 times the diameter of our own solar system.
Hubble Photos Credit: NASA, The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
© Copyright 2001, 2002 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide
This page was last updated on: October 14, 2002
|
