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Back Colliding Gas in the Helix Nebula

Colliding Gas in the Helix Nebula


Depicts: Helix Nebula, NGC 7293, IRAS 22267-2102
Copyright: Robert O'Dell, Kerry P. Handron (Rice University, Houston, Texas) and NASA

This colorful image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows the collision of two gases near a dying star.

Astronomers have dubbed the tadpole-like objects in the upper right-hand corner "cometary knots" because their glowing heads and gossamer tails resemble comets.

Last Update: 1 September 2019
10-Mar-2026 06:52 UT

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