Nebulae & clusters · Planetary nebula
Helix Nebula
655 light-years · Light crosses it in 5.7 years
- Across
- 5.74 light-years
- Vs Earth
- 5.74 light-years across
Open Helix Nebula in Cosmic Scale
In the app, Helix Nebula is part of the Beyond pack.
About
The Helix Nebula is the glowing shell of gas thrown off by a dying Sun-like star. The star's exposed core, now a white dwarf, lights the gas from inside. It is one of the nearest planetary nebulae to Earth.
The glowing shell of a dying Sun-like star — a preview of our Sun's end.
At a glance
| Distance | 655 light-years |
|---|---|
| Size | About 5.7 light-years across |
| Age | About 10,600 years |
| Nickname | The Eye of God |
Did you know
- Our Sun will make a nebula like this in about 5 billion years.
- Its inner edge is full of thousands of comet-shaped knots of gas, each bigger than the Solar System.
- Despite the name, planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets.
Simulations
- The Sun's death — How the Sun will swell into a red giant, then fade into a white dwarf