Astronomy Picture of the Day · May 27, 2026

PK 164 +31.1: The Headphone Nebula

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for May 27, 2026 is “PK 164 +31.1: The Headphone Nebula,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Image Credit & Copyright: Bernard Miller Text: Keighley Rockcliffe ( NASA GSFC , UMBC CSST , CRESST II )). The original explanation runs about 150 words.

A bubble of gas occupies the center of the image with a few stars in the fore- and background. On opposite sides of the bubble, there are two regions where the gas pinches inward. This makes the inner region of the nebula appear like a pean — Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Bernard Miller Text: Keighley Rockcliffe ( NASA GSFC , UMBC CSST , CRESST II ) Copyrighted Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“What is a pair of headphones doing in the sky? 1 or Jones-Emberson 1 .”

— APOD editors, May 27, 2026

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: May 27, 2026
Type: Image
Credit: Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Bernard Miller Text: Keighley Rockcliffe ( NASA GSFC , UMBC CSST , CRESST II )
Copyright: Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 150 words