Cometary Knots around a Dying Star
These gigantic, tadpole-shaped objects are probably the result of a dying star's last gasps. Dubbed 'cometary knots' because their glowing heads and gossamer tails resemble comets, the gaseous objects probably were formed during a star's final stages of life.
Credit:About the Image
About the Object
| Name: | Helix Nebula, NGC 7293 |
|---|---|
| Type: | Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Planetary |
| Distance: | 700 light years |
| Constellation: | Aquarius |
| Category: | Nebulae |
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 22 29 36.89 |
|---|---|
| Position (Dec): | -20° 47' 54.89" |
| Field of view: | 0.83 x 1.09 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 151.9° left of vertical |
View in ESASky:
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
|---|---|---|
| Optical V | 500 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
| Optical H-alpha | 656 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
| Optical Nii | 658 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |