Astronomy Picture of the Day . ... 10.09.2009 . ... Credit: NASA , ESA , and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team Explanation: The bright clusters and nebulae of planet Earth's night sky are often named for flowers or insects , and NGC 6302 is no exception. With an estimated surface temperature of about 250,000 degrees C, the central star of this particular planetary nebula is exceptionally hot though -- shining brightly in ultraviolet light but hidden from direct view by a dense torus of dust. ... 2009 2010 . ...