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The colorful planetary nebula phase of a sun-like
star's life is brief. Almost in the "blink of an eye" - cosmically
speaking - the star's outer layers are cast off, forming an expanding
emission nebula. This nebula lasts perhaps 10 thousand years compared
to a 10 billion year stellar life span.
Spectacular planetary
nebulae are familiar objects to both professional and amateur astronomers,
but they still contain a few surprises. For instance, the lovely nebula
NGC 6826, also known as the Blinking Eye Nebula, has mysterious red
FLIERS seen on either side of the Hubble Space Telescope image above.
Are they also expanding outward from the central star? If so, their
"bow shocks" point in the wrong direction!