Hubble Captures Breathtaking Images of Obscure Planet Nebula

Officially named Kohoutek 4-55, this little-known planetary nebula is located within our Milky Way galaxy.

“The Nebula of Planets is a spectacular final exhibition at the end of the life of a giant star,” Hubble Astherm said in a statement.

“When the giant red star runs out of available fuel and flows the final gas layer, its compact core shrinks further, allowing for a final burst of fusion.”

“The exposed core reaches very high temperatures and emits very energetic UV rays, activating a huge cloud of casting gas.”

“Molecules in the gas are ionized and brighten.”

“Here, red and orange represent nitrogen molecules, green represent hydrogen, and blue represent nebulae oxygen.”

Kohoutek 4-55 is located approximately 4,600 light years away from the Cygnus constellation.

Also known as UHA 15 or G084.2+01.0, this nebula has an unusual multilayered form.

“The bright inner ring of the Kohoutek 4-55 is surrounded by a loose layer of gas, all wrapped in a wide halo of ionized nitrogen,” the astronomer said.

“The view is bittersweet. The short phase of the fusion of the cores ends tens of thousands of years, leaving behind a white dwarf who will never illuminate the surrounding clouds again.”

This image of Kohoutek 4-55 was captured by Hubble’s Widefield and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2).

“Installed in 1993 to replace the original Widefield and Planetary Camera (WFPC), WFPC2 was responsible for some of Hubble’s most persistent images and fascinating discoveries,” the researchers said.

“It was replaced in 2009 by Widefield Camera 3 (WFC3) during Hubble’s final service mission.”

“The data in this image was collected 10 days before the instrument was removed from the telescope, as a proper postponement for WFPC2,” he said.

“The latest and most advanced processing techniques are used to bring data to life once more, creating this breathtaking new view of Kohoutek 4-55.”