Planetary nebula result from the death of intermediate and low mass stars from 8 down to 0.8 solar masses. (any star bigger than 8 solar masses will die in a super-nova explosion). At the end of the star’s life, the outer layers of the star are expelled. This energized shell of nebulous gas appears as a planetary nebula. Planetary nebulae play a crucial role in creation of planets (such as Earth), as the heavy elements (such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and calcium) are created by the dying star and expelled to Planetary Nebulae. Remember that stars (such as our Sun) and the star-forming nebula consist mainly of lighter elements i.e. Hydrogen and Helium. On the other hand, planets such as Earth are made from heavier elements, which are only available from such planetary nebulae! Food for thought – We were made from one such rejected material of a dying stars!!!! Also, this will be fate of our Sun about 4 billion of years from now.

Here are some of the pictures I have taken:

From Planetary Nebulae. Posted by Madhup Rathi on 4/16/2015 (7 items)

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