Shapley 1: An Annular Planetary Nebula

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zorg.ch #113313 by [z]Barbara Harris @ 17.08.2011 00:00 - nach oben - Shapley 1: An Annular Planetary Nebula Explanation: What happens when a star runs out of nuclear fuel? For stars about the mass of our Sun, the center condenses into a white dwarf while the outer atmospheric layers are expelled into space and appear as a planetary nebula. This particular planetary nebula, pictured above and designated Shapley 1 after the famous astronomer Harlow Shapley, has a very apparent annular ring like structure. Although some of these nebulas appear like planets on the sky (hence their name), they actually surround stars far outside our Solar System. Picture Show: See August 16th APODs through the years Credit & Copyright