facebook pixel
@hubbleesa
Our #HubbleTopImage captures a butterfly in the constellation of Cassiopeia! šŸ¦‹ This is the planetary nebula PN Hb 12. Its distinctive structure took shape as a Sun-like star approached the end of its life and puffed its outer layers into the surrounding space, funnelling material towards its poles.⁠ ⁠ Astronomers studied more than 100 planetary nebulae in the central bulge of our galaxy, and found that, bizarrely, many butterfly-shaped members of this cosmic family like PN Hb 12 line up in the sky in the same way!⁠ ⁠ For more information check the link in bio.⁠ ⁠ šŸ“· NASA, ESA⁠ Acknowledgement: Josh Barrington⁠ ⁠ #ESA #Hubble

Ā 2k

Ā 14

Credits
    Tags, Events, and Projects
    • hubble
    • hubbletopimage
    • esa