Deep-sky object class · e.g. The Ring Nebula (M57)

Planetary Nebula

The glowing shell of gas cast off by a dying Sun-like star as it becomes a white dwarf, ionised and lit up by the hot stellar core at its centre. Despite the name — coined because their round disks resembled planets in early telescopes — planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets; they are a brief, beautiful final phase of low- and intermediate-mass stars.

Highlights

›The cast-off shell of a dying Sun-like star — e.g. the Ring Nebula

Across the encyclopedia

Deep-Sky Object

Knowledge connections

Associated withDeep-Sky Object
Associated withRing Nebula
Associated withMessier 27 (Dumbbell Nebula)
Associated withHelix Nebula
Associated withPlanetary-Nebula Ejection
Associated withWhite Dwarf

Sources

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

Loading…

Planetary Nebula

Highlights

Examples & related concepts

Across the encyclopedia

Knowledge connections

Sources

Planetary Nebula

Highlights

Examples & related concepts

Across the encyclopedia

Knowledge connections

Sources