Posted on 11/08/2014 9:29:02 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Explanation: To some, it may look like a cat's eye. The alluring Cat's Eye nebula, however, lies three thousand light-years from Earth across interstellar space. A classic planetary nebula, the Cat's Eye (NGC 6543) represents a final, brief yet glorious phase in the life of a sun-like star. This nebula's dying central star may have produced the simple, outer pattern of dusty concentric shells by shrugging off outer layers in a series of regular convulsions. But the formation of the beautiful, more complex inner structures is not well understood. Seen so clearly in this digitally sharpened Hubble Space Telescope image, the truly cosmic eye is over half a light-year across. Of course, gazing into this Cat's Eye, astronomers may well be seeing the fate of our sun, destined to enter its own planetary nebula phase of evolution ... in about 5 billion years.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit: NASA, ESA, HEIC, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)]
It's better to burn out than to fade away.
Stunning!
Thanks very much!!!
WOW!
Gorgeous!
Thanks!
My first website and only site was Cat’s Eye Pics. The Siamese brood I had back then made me put it up!
One of my faves along with Eta Carinae, a nebula that reminds me of Obola’s brain after the election.. exploding!
He has a brain? ;’)
That’s an oldie but goodie, certainly. I don’t mind seeing it again, of course. Cat’s eyes are always spectacular.
Thank you for the post and ping, Mr. Civ.
This is a Brain after a GOP Landslide ...
Wow!
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