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Planetary Nebula
Planetary nebulae were so named because they resembled very distant planets when first viewed through telescopes in the 18th century. The star fueling this planetary nebula is in its last stages of its life cycle. It has depleted its hydrogen and is no longer producing helium from hydrogen fusion. The star has collapsed in on itself, pushing out any remaining helium, which has ignited and is being burned up in the outer layers of the nebula.
Created with Photoshop.
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