The Helix Nebula is renowned for its iconic resemblance to the 'Eye of Sauron' and is frequently captured in photographs. Located approximately 655 light-years from our Solar System, it is one of the nearest luminous nebulae to Earth.
While its name might not immediately conjure an image, the Helix Nebula is a familiar sight thanks to the Hubble Space Telescope, which has provided some of its most famous images over the years. Many people can likely recognize a photograph of the Helix Nebula upon seeing it.
As is common in astronomy, the term 'planetary nebula' can be misleading. These nebulae are not formed by planets but by stars similar in size to our Sun, albeit slightly larger. Towards the end of their lifespan, these stars expel vast amounts of gas, creating an expanding shell that presents a spectacular display, albeit briefly in the context of cosmological time.
Credit: NASA
Recently, the James Webb Space Telescope has provided fresh perspectives on the Helix Nebula, which promises to tell a new tale with its stunning imagery. NASA unveiled these latest images on Tuesday, highlighting vibrant pillars of gas within the nebula's expanding gaseous shell. According to NASA, the image captures the vivid inner region of this celestial spectacle.