Stunning image of the planetary nebula NGC 3242, also known as the "Ghost of Jupiter" due to its resemblance to the planet. This nebula, located 1400 light-years away, is the remnant of a star similar to our Sun, showcasing its outer layers cast off during its final stages of life. The central bright point is the white dwarf star, and the mysterious red FLIERs near the edges are still under investigation.

Astronomy Picture from 31/03/1997

NGC 3242: The 'Ghost of Jupiter' Planetary Nebula

Credit:

Source: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap970331.html


#PlanetaryNebula #NGC3242 #GhostOfJupiter #Space #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Nebula #DeepSpace #Cosmology #StellarEvolution #WhiteDwarf #FLIERs