Planetary Nebulae
Depicts: The Cotton Candy Nebula, IRAS 17150-3224, The Silkworm Nebula, IRAS 17441-2411, NGC 6818, IRAS 19411-1416, NGC 3918, IRAS 11478-5654
Copyright: S. Kwok (University of Calgary), R. Rubin (NASA Ames Research Center),H. Bond (ST ScI) and NASA
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The nebulae are being illuminated by light from the invisible central
star, which is then reflected toward us. We are viewing the nebulae
edge-on, where the direct starlight is blocked by the dusty cocoon.
Otherwise, the starlight would overwhelm the nebular light, making it
very difficult to see the butterfly-shaped nebula. In a few hundred
years, intense ultraviolet radiation from the central star will energize
the surrounding gas, causing it to glow brightly, and a planetary nebula
is born.
Last Update: 1 September 2019
