Posted on 07/29/2025 11:56:23 AM PDT by MtnClimber
Explanation: Is the Helix Nebula looking at you? No, not in any biological sense, but it does look quite like an eye. The Helix Nebula is so named because it also appears that you are looking down the axis of a helix. In actuality, it is now understood to have a surprisingly complex geometry, including radial filaments and extended outer loops. The Helix Nebula (aka NGC 7293) is one of brightest and closest examples of a planetary nebula, a gas cloud created at the end of the life of a Sun-like star. The remnant central stellar core, destined to become a white dwarf star, glows in light so energetic it causes the previously expelled gas to fluoresce. The featured picture, taken in red, green, and blue but highlighted by light emitted primarily by hydrogen was created from 12 hours of exposure through a personal telescope located in Greece. A close-up of the inner edge of the Helix Nebula shows complex gas knots the origin of which are still being researched.
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.
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Cool picture
They really ought to rename that the Eye of Sauron Nebula.
I wonder if an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist sees this when looking at our eyes during an exam with the fancy inspection machine ?
Somehow that makes me think of the 2024 election—a small area of blue surrounded by a lot of red.
That makes sense too but it looks rather menacing to me. :)
The creepy part is when it blinks...
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