Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Aquarius (Aqr)  ·  Contains:  Helix nebula  ·  NGC 7293
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The Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, Caldwell 63, Steven Bellavia
The Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, Caldwell 63
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The Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, Caldwell 63

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The Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, Caldwell 63, Steven Bellavia
The Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, Caldwell 63
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The Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, Caldwell 63

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Description

The Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, Caldwell 63, is a large planetary nebula, formed by an intermediate to low-mass star, which sheds its outer layers near the end of its evolution. It is located in the constellation Aquarius and was discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, around 1824. This object is one of the closest to the Earth of all the bright planetary nebulae, at approximately 700 light years from Earth, and spans 2.5 light years across. It is similar in appearance to the Cat's Eye Nebula and the Ring Nebula, whose size, age, and physical characteristics are similar to the Dumbbell Nebula, varying only in its relative proximity and the appearance from the equatorial viewing angle. The remnant central stellar core is destined to become a white dwarf star. The observed glow of the central star is so energetic that it causes the previously expelled gases to brightly fluoresce.

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  • The Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, Caldwell 63, Steven Bellavia
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    The Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, Caldwell 63, Steven Bellavia
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The Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, Caldwell 63, Steven Bellavia

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Planetary Nebulae