Astronomers using ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile have captured the most detailed image ever taken of the Medusa Nebula. As the star at the heart of this nebula made its transition into retirement, it shed its outer layers into space, forming this colourful cloud. The image foreshadows the final fate of the Sun, which will eventually also become an object of this kind. Read more
Abell 21 (also known as The Medusa Nebula, Sharpless 274, YM 29 and PK 205+14 1) is a magnitude +7.68 planetary nebula located 1,500 light-years away in the constellation Gemini.
The planetary nebula was independently discovered by UCLA astronomer George O. Abell at the Palomar Observatory, and by Hugh M. Johnson during the Yerkes McDonald Survey in 1955.
Position J2000.0: Right ascension 07h 29m 02.69s, Declination +13° 14' 48.4"