Astronomy Picture of the Day ·
MyCn18: An Hourglass Planetary Nebula
The Astronomy Picture of the Day for August 7, 2011 is “MyCn18: An Hourglass Planetary Nebula,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit: R. Sahai and J. Trauger ( JPL ), WFPC2 , HST , NASA. The original explanation runs about 130 words.
From the explanation
“The sands of time are running out for the central star of this hourglass-shaped planetary nebula . With its nuclear fuel exhausted, this brief, spectacular, closing phase of a Sun-like star’s life occurs as its outer layers are ejected – its core becoming a cooling, fading white dwarf .”
— APOD editors, August 7, 2011
Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov
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At a glance
- Date
- August 7, 2011
- Type
- Image
- Credit
- Credit: Image Credit: R. Sahai and J. Trauger ( JPL ), WFPC2 , HST , NASA
- Copyright
- No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
- Explanation length
- About 130 words