Image 5-4
Spirograph Nebula

This is an image of a planetary nebula known as IC 418, also referred to as the spirograph nebula. Planetary nebulas are formed when a mid-sized star like our Sun reaches the end of its life cycle. As the star runs out of fuel, its outer layers expand. Eventually, the outer layers are ejected outward to form a shell of gas around the remains of the star. At the center of the nebula, the remaining core of the star glows as a white dwarf. Light from the white dwarf causes the gas around it to glow. IC 418 is located about 2,000 light years from Earth.