

NGC 6888 - The Crescent Nebula754 viewsAn emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, about 5000 light-years away from Earth; formed by the fast stellar wind from the Wolf-Rayet star WR 136 colliding with and energizing slower-moving matter ejected by the star when it became a red giant around 250,000 to 400,000 years ago.
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IC4603 - Core of the Rho Ophiuchi Complex751 viewsThis blue reflection nebula glows by the light of the 7.9 magnitude star SAO184376 in the center.
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NGC 7293 - The Helix Nebula in Aquarius749 viewsOne of the closest planetary nebulae, at only 650 light-years from Earth. Around 10,600 years old and 2.5 light-years in diameter. Sometimes known as the "Eye of God" or the "Eye of Sauron."
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IC4604, The Rho Ophiuchi Nebula747 viewsPart of the Rho Ophiuchi complex, a gaggle of interstellar clouds centered 1 degree south of the star Rho Ophiuchi. Estimated distance from Earth is 460 light-years.
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NGC 1499 - The California Nebula745 viewsAn emission nebula in the constellation Perseus, so called because it resembles the State of California in shape (though not in this image). About 1000 light-years from Earth.
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The Heart Nebula745 viewsEmission nebula in Cassiopeia, 7500 light-years away from Earth. The Fish-head Nebula is also seen as a cancerous outgrowth from the Heart Nebula at lower left.
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Medusa Nebula (Sharpless 2-274)742 viewsPlanetary Nebula in Gemini. Discovered in 1955, first thought to be a supernova remnant, but Soviet astronomers in 1971 determined it to be a planetary nebula.
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Sh2-106 - Snow Angel Nebula740 viewsEmission nebula and star forming region in Cygnus, about 2000 light-years from Earth.
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Sharpless2-136, the Ghost Nebula737 viewsReflection nebula in Cepheus. 1470 light-years distant, near the cluster NGC 7023.
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IC 5067 - The Pelican Nebula735 viewsAn emission nebula (H-II region) in the constellation Cygnus, associated with the North American Nebula (NGC 7000), but visually separated from it by a dark dust cloud. Supposedly has the shape of a pelican, though not very much in this image.
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NGC6543, the Cat's Eye Nebula732 viewsPlanetary nebula in the northern constellation Draco. Distance from Earth about 3300 light-years.
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M97 - The Owl Nebula730 viewsPlanetary nebula in the constellation Ursa Major, 2030 light-years distance from Earth and about 8000 years old. The blurred appearance results from the fact that it consists of several overlapping shells of gas. The shells are not entirely concentric, but form a barrel-like structure which gives rise to the owl-like appearance.
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