Image Credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble
The bright clusters and nebulae of planet Earth's night sky are often named for flowers or insects. Though its wingspan covers over 3 light-years, NGC 6302 is no exception. With an estimated surface temperature of about 250,000 degrees C, the dying central star of this particular planetary nebula has become exceptionally hot, shining brightly in ultraviolet light but hidden from direct view by a dense torus of dust.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published by NASA, here, and is licenced as Public Domain under Creative Commons. See Creative Commons - Attribution Licence.
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