NGC 7293 SYSTEM
NGC 7293 SYSTEM
v1.0 Version History
v1.0 Initial Release
Planetary Nebula NGC 7293
Central Star WD 2226-210
WD 2226-210 ended its life as main sequence star about 10.600 years ago. The central star of the planetary nebula NGC 7293, also known as The Helix Nebula, is what is left.

The Helix Nebula is an example of a planetary nebula, formed by an intermediate to low-mass star, which sheds its outer layers near the end of its evolution. The remnant central stellar core, known as a planetary nebula nucleus, is destined to become a white dwarf star.

The observed glow of the central star is so energetic that it causes the previously expelled gases to brightly fluoresce.
Last Revision: 21. Jan 2017
File Size: 655 Kilobyte