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The Helix Nebula is the largest planetary nebula, due to its proximity to earth. The distance is 620 light years. The blueish star in the center of the nebula is all that is left from a sun-like star, which has shed off all of its outer layers at the end of its life. The strong radiation from the central star causes hydrogen and oxygen gases to glow in red and blue-green.
Copyright by Gerhard Bachmayer 2003-2024
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