Planetary Nebulae


Planetary nebulae actually have nothing to do with planets. They are spherical shells of gas given off by stars like our sun as they near the end of their lives. In the crude telescopes of the 18th century, these objects appeared as small, featureless disks, much like the outer planets of our solar system. Hence the name. Click on any thumbnail image to see the full-size image and a description of the object. Place the mouse cursor over any words highlighted in green for more information. For mobile device users, all the highlighted terms are listed under the Glossary tab.


Dumbbell Nebula

Dumbbell Nebula
(M27)
(short exposure)

M27

Dumbbell Nebula - M27
(crazy long exp)

Ring Nebula

Ring Nebula
(M57)

Owl Nebula

Owl Nebula
(M97)

Helix Nebula

Helix Nebula
(NGC7293)

Cat's Eye Nebula

Cat's Eye Nebula
(NGC 6543)
(short exposure)

Cat's Eye Nebula

Cat's Eye Nebula - NGC 6543
(crazy long exp)

Blue Snowball

Blue Snowball
(NGC 7662)

NGC 1501

NGC 1501

NGC 7008

NGC 7008

NGC 7009

Saturn Nebula
(NGC 7009)

NGC 6905

NGC 6905

Sh2-188

Sh2-188

IC 1747

NGC 6058

IC 1747

IC 1747

NGC 246

NGC 246

 NGC 6781

NGC 6781
 

Little Dumbbell

Little Dumbbell
M76

Abell 39

PLN 47+42.1
(Abell 39)

Soap Bubble Nebula

Soap Bubble Nebula
PLN 75.5+1.7

Soap Bubble Nebula (wide-field)

Soap Bubble Nebula
PLN 75.5+1.7
(wide-field)

Abell 72

PLN 59-18.1
(Abell 72)

NGC 40

Bow-tie Nebula
(NGC 40)

NGC 1514

Crystal Ball Nebula
(NGC 1514)

Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392)

Eskimo Nebula
(NGC 2392)

Abell 21 (Medusa Nebula)

PLN 205+14.1
(Abell 21, Medusa Nebula)

PLN 104-29-01

PLN 104-29-1
 

NGC 6842

NGC 6842
(Sh2-95)