Asset Publisher

The Cat's Eye Nebula

The Cat's Eye Nebula


Depicts: NGC 6543, The Cat's Eye Nebula, IRAS 17584+6638A
Copyright: J.P. Harrington and K.J. Borkowski (University of Maryland), and NASA

This Hubble Space Telescope image shows one of the most complex planetary nebulae ever seen, NGC 6543, nicknamed the "Cat's Eye Nebula." Hubble reveals surprisingly intricate structures including concentric gas shells, jets of high-speed gas and unusual shock-induced knots of gas. Estimated to be 1,000 years old, the nebula is a visual "fossil record" of the dynamics and late evolution of a dying star.
Last Update: 1 September 2019
28-Mar-2024 13:06 UT

ShortUrl Portlet

Shortcut URL

https://sci.esa.int/s/AqqBVDA

Also Available As

Related Images

Related Videos

Caption & Press Release

Related Publications

Related Links

See Also

Documentation