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About the Object
Color Mapping
Astrometrics
Infrared Helix
The Helix Nebula, which is composed of gaseous shells and disks puffed out by a dying sunlike star, exhibits complex structure on the smallest visible scales. In this new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, infrared light at wavelengths of 3.6, 4.5, and 8.0 microns has been colored blue, green, and red (respectively). The color saturation also has been increased to intensify hues. The "cometary knots" show blue-green heads due to excitation of their molecular material from shocks or ultraviolet radiation. The tails of the cometary knots appear redder due to being shielded from the central star's ultraviolet radiation and wind by the heads of the knots.
Related Media
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News Release Spitzer Puts a New Spin on the Helix Nebula ssc2006-01 |
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Image The Infrared Helix ssc2006-01a |
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Image The Mark of a Dying Star ssc2006-01b |
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Video Helix Nebula (Gallery Explorer) hiddenuniverse012 |
Image Components
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Image Infrared Helix ssc2006-01a1 |
