Ring Nebula

27 May 2013 - The Hubble Space Telescope has produced the most detailed observations ever of the Ring Nebula. This image reveals intricate structure only hinted at in previous observations and has allowed scientists to construct a model of the nebula in 3D showing the true shape of this striking object. Formed by a star throwing off its outer layers as it runs out of fuel, the Ring Nebula is an archetypal planetary nebula. Despite the name, the phenomenon has nothing to do with planets - they take their title from their fuzzy circular appearance as seen through low-magnification telescopes. The Ring Nebula, also known as Messier 57 or NGC 6720, was discovered in 1779 by astronomer Antoine Darquier de Pellepoix, and observed shortly after by Charles Messier, becoming the 57th object in the famous Messier catalogue of astronomical objects. It lies just over 2000 light-years from Earth and has a roughly elliptical appearance. Astronomers have combined ground-based data with new observations using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to observe the nebula again, hunting for clues about its structure, evolution, physical conditions and motion.