Home Contact | About | Friends of McDonald | Sign up for Sky Tips
McDonald Observatory McDonald Observatory
A production of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory
StargazingResourcesRadioMagazineTeachersGift ShopMedia Center

Send to a friend 
Enlarge image
Keywords
Nebulae 
Lifecycle of Stars 
Nuclear Fusion 
Interstellar Gas and Dust 
Sun 
Astronomy Gift Shop
2010 Sky Almanac
Pentax 10x50 binoculars
McDonald Observatory logo cap

The one constant in the Universe: StarDate magazine
Helix Nebula 
Helix Nebula 
The Helix Nebula is a wreath placed by nature around a dying star. Nearing the end of its life and running out of nuclear fuel, the star in the center of the nebula has blown off its outer atmosphere. The blue-green interior color of the nebula is caused by oxygen emission; farther out the red color is caused by hydrogen emission. Our Sun will likely meet the same fate in about five billion years. (Tom Montemayor)

Show all images about:

Copyright ©1995-2006 The University of Texas McDonald Observatory. Material on this site may be linked to, quoted or reproduced for educational or personal purposes without prior permission, provided appropriate credit is given. Teachers, scout leaders, and others may distribute the material for classroom instruction or related educational purposes. The materials may not be sold or published in any other form without written permission from The University of Texas McDonald Observatory.