Planetary Nebulas Explorer

This image features a highly detailed composite image of a star-forming region of space known as 30 Doradus, shaped like a bouquet, or a maple leaf. In this image, the X-ray wind and gas takes the shape of a massive purple and pink bouquet with an extended central flower, or perhaps a leaf from a maple tree. The hazy, mottled shape occupies much of the image, positioned just to our left of center, tilted slightly to our left. Inside the purple and pink gas and wind cloud are red and orange veins, and pockets of bright white light. The pockets of white light represent clusters of young stars. One cluster at the heart of 30 Doradus houses the most massive stars astronomers have ever found. The hazy purple and pink bouquet is surrounded by glowing dots of green, white, orange, and red. A second mottled purple cloud shape, which resembles a ring of smoke, sits in our lower righthand corner.

Planetary Nebulas

Explore planetary nebulae to understand the fascinating journey into the life cycle of stars.

Cat's Eye Nebula

The Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543) is one of the most complex nebulae known, with intricate knots, jets, and arc-like features. Its structure is believed to be the result of a binary central star system.

Distance: 3,300 light-years

Explore Cat's Eye Nebula