A dying star is throwing a cosmic tantrum in this combined image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX), which NASA has lent to the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. Also known by the catalog number NGC 7293, it is a typical example of a class of objects called planetary nebulae. It is the nearest bright nebula to our solar system. The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) is a planetary nebula in the constellation Aquarius. The Helix Nebula is a large planetary nebula located approximately 695 light years from Earth in Aquarius constellation. Planetary nebula are formed at the end of a star's evolution.

This object, called the Helix nebula, lies 650 light-years away in the constellation of Aquarius. The distance, measured by the Gaia mission, is 655±13 light-years. Discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, probably before 1824, Helix Nebula is one of the closest to the Earth of all the bright planetary nebulae. It is the nearest bright nebula to our solar system.


In death, the star's dusty outer layers are unraveling into space, glowing from the intense ultraviolet radiation. Discovered in the 18th century, these cosmic works of art were erroneously named for their resemblance to gas-giant planets. The nebula’s striking appearance earned it the nickname the Eye of God. It was "discovered" in 1824 by Karl Ludwig Harding (1765-1834). The nebula’s striking appearance earned it the nickname the Eye of God.
Helix Nebula, NGC 7293: Description: Planetary nebula: Age: 10,000 years: Location: Found in the constellation Aquarius: Distance from Earth : 650 light-years: Size: The nebula spans a distance of 2.5 to 3 light-years across. The Helix Nebula is a popular object for amateur astronomers and can be observed with binoculars, … The Helix Nebula, also known as NGC 7293, is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Aquarius. The Helix Nebula is a large planetary nebula located approximately 695 light years from Earth in Aquarius constellation. The Helix Nebula is part of the Aquarius constellation, approximately 700 light years from Earth. I use quotes around the word discovered because the Helix Nebula has existed for more than 10,000 years.

Of all of the known planetary nebulae in the night sky, the Helix Nebula is one of the brightest, and closest to Earth.