Planetary nebulae are some of the most beautiful objects in the universe.
They are formed when an intermediate mass star no longer has enough hydrogen to sustain nuclear fusion. The energy from nuclear fusion cannot counter gravitational forces and the star collapses. This causes the core of the star to heat up, and the outer shell of the star is ejected. The exposed core emits extraordinarily intense ultraviolet radiation which ionises the expelled shell, causing it to emit light - primarily at the wavelengths of hydrogen alpha and oxygen III.
Click on each image for more details.
They are formed when an intermediate mass star no longer has enough hydrogen to sustain nuclear fusion. The energy from nuclear fusion cannot counter gravitational forces and the star collapses. This causes the core of the star to heat up, and the outer shell of the star is ejected. The exposed core emits extraordinarily intense ultraviolet radiation which ionises the expelled shell, causing it to emit light - primarily at the wavelengths of hydrogen alpha and oxygen III.
Click on each image for more details.
WeSb 2
Dr 24
Alv 3
NGC 6826
PaGo 2
NGC 2371-2
Abell 7
HFG 1
Kn 63
MWP 1
Jacoby 1
Abell 36
NGC 6543
Jones 1
Weinberger 1-10
LoTr 5
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NGC 40
NGC 2392
Pa 28
NGC 6905
NGC 7139
PaStDr 2 and Sh2-97
PN G020.9-11.3
Dr 26
Kronberger 50
HDW 3
Abell 24
Kn 61
Soap Bubble
NGC 7662
LTNF 1
Jones-Emberson 1
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FP J0711-2531
HoCr 1
H 3-75
NGC 246
Sh2-215
PN G016.3 and M1-46
EGB 6
Abell 16
IPHASX J015624.9+652830
Abell 61
Kn 24
StDr 1
M 76
Abell 39
M 97
Sh2-188
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NGC 2440
Abell 84
NGC 7094
NGC 7026
NGC 7008
PaGo 1
StDr 45
StDr 29
HDW 2
Dr 27
Sh1-89
YM 16
NGC 7009
NGC 1514
M 57
NGC 7293
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