Desktop Wallpaper: Deep space nebula

by Mark Kaelin  |  August 30, 2012, 12:27am PDT  |  Image 6 of 19

The Ring Nebula

Except for the rings of Saturn, the Ring Nebula (M57) is probably the most famous celestial band. This planetary nebula's simple, graceful appearance is thought to be due to perspective -- our view from planet Earth looking straight into what is actually a barrel-shaped cloud of gas shrugged off by a dying central star.

Credit: H. Bond et al., Hubble Heritage Team (STScI /AURA), NASA

The Ring Nebula - Image 6 of 19

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