Colliding gas in the Helix Nebula
This colourful image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows the collision of two gases near a dying star. Astronomers have dubbed the tadpole-like objects in the upper right-hand corner 'cometary knots' because their glowing heads and gossamer tails resemble comets.
This colorful image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows the collision of two gases near a dying star.
Astronomers have dubbed the tadpole-like objects in the upper right-hand corner 'cometary knots' because their glowing heads and gossamer tails resemble comets.
Credit:About the Image
About the Object
| Name: | Helix Nebula, NGC 7293 |
| Type: | Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Planetary |
| Distance: | 2500 light years |
| Constellation: | Aquarius |
| Category: | Nebulae |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 22 29 36.70 |
| Position (Dec): | -20° 47' 7.54" |
| Field of view: | 2.47 x 2.50 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 152.3° left of vertical |
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View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
|---|---|---|
| Optical Oi | 500 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
| Optical H-alpha | 656 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
| Optical Nii | 658 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |