Object: Helix Nebula

View full image: IU_Bicentennial_Helix_Nebula.jpg

Caption: This "planetary" nebula is the last gasp of a dying star. Stellar winds blow off the star's surface layers, exposing the hot, dense core inside. Radiation from the hot core heats the expanding gas, producing a beautiful, glowing nebula.

Image credit: L. van Zee, J. Shah, & IU Astronomy

This project was partially funded by the Daniel Kirkwood Chair, the Hollis and Grete Johnson Astronomy Endowment funds, and from the Office of the Bicentennial.