* Astronomy

Hubble Sees a Planetary Nebula in the Making

Each planetary nebula is complex and unique. Hen 3-1475 is a great example of a planetary nebula in the making, a phase which is known to astronomers as a protoplanetary or preplanetary nebula.
Since the central star has not yet blown away its complete shell, the star is not hot enough to ionise the shell of gas and so the nebula does not shine. Rather, we see the expelled gas thanks to light reflected off it. When the star's envelope is fully ejected, it will begin to glow and become a planetary nebula.
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