![Helix planetary nebula in Aquarius [Remote, GMO_System_1] | by john.purvis](http://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51717805693_927b3ea1e5.jpg)
Helix planetary nebula in Aquarius [Remote, GMO_System_1]
Narrowband image with Hydrogen alpha filter of the planetary nebula nearest to Earth.
In this image, nuclear fusion has ceased in the central star as the available fuel has run out and the outer layers of the star have been shrugged off.
Gases in the envelope layers glow under the glare of the intense UV light radiating from the White Dwarf remnant of the central star.
Its thought that the NE outer rim (lower right) is glowing more brightly as it encounters interstellar gas and the friction of the collision causes heating.
Within the "eye" of the nebula are hundreds of "comet" shaped features that all point back to the central star - astronomers are uncertain if these represent gas outflows or UV photodissociation of gas.
The central star exploded 10600 years ago - as worked out by reversing the gas flow velocities.
Helix planetary nebula in Aquarius [Remote, GMO_System_1]
Narrowband image with Hydrogen alpha filter of the planetary nebula nearest to Earth.
In this image, nuclear fusion has ceased in the central star as the available fuel has run out and the outer layers of the star have been shrugged off.
Gases in the envelope layers glow under the glare of the intense UV light radiating from the White Dwarf remnant of the central star.
Its thought that the NE outer rim (lower right) is glowing more brightly as it encounters interstellar gas and the friction of the collision causes heating.
Within the "eye" of the nebula are hundreds of "comet" shaped features that all point back to the central star - astronomers are uncertain if these represent gas outflows or UV photodissociation of gas.
The central star exploded 10600 years ago - as worked out by reversing the gas flow velocities.