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The Helix NGC 7293 in Aquarius

A most interesting planetary nebula, the Helix features the classic, teal center (OIII), red outer ring (Hydrogen) and Nitrogen-pink shading. The Helix is the closest planetary to us, and is also the largest of its class.  When a star reaches its red giant phase, the suface gravity decreases allowing more of its stellar wind to stream off into space. Near death, a shell is cast off which fluoresces by the energy of the blue central star.