Nebulae For Christmas
Credit & Copyright: Howard Bond (STScI),
NASA
Explanation:
If our
Galaxy were a Christmas tree,
planetary nebulae would adorn it
like colorful lighted ornaments twinkling on a cosmic scale.
Glowing shrouds of gas ejected by red giant stars,
planetary nebulae
like NGC 6578 (left) and
IC 3568 last for a mere 10,000 years or so
as swollen stellar giants
are transformed into fading,
cooling white dwarf stars.
Meanwhile ... have a safe, happy holiday season and
Best Wishes to all from APOD!
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
