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Explanation: WhatÁs looking back at you isnÁt a cosmic eye, but Shapley 1, a beautifully symmetric planetary nebula. Shapley 1, also known as the Fine Ring Nebula or PLN 329+2.1, bejewels the southern sky constellation of the Carpenter's Square (Norma). The nebula is the result of a star near the mass of our Sun running out of fuel and shedding its outer layers. Glowing oxygen from those expelled layers makes up the circular halo. The bright central point is actually a binary: a white dwarf, the remaining stellar core after the outer layers are expelled into space, and another star, orbiting each other every 2.9 days. Shapley 1Ás annular shape is due to our top-down view of the system and provides insight into the influence of central stars on planetary nebula structures.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Shapley 1 - planetary nebula - annular
Publications with words: Shapley 1 - planetary nebula - annular
See also:
- APOD: 2026 February 25 Á The Egg Nebula from the Hubble Telescope
- APOD: 2026 February 3 Á Red Spider Planetary Nebula from Webb
- Planetary Nebula Abell 7
- APOD: 2026 January 5 Á The Red Rectangle Nebula from Hubble
- APOD: 2024 April 30 Á GK Per: Nova and Planetary Nebula
- APOD: 2025 August 31 Á NGC 7027: The Pillow Planetary Nebula
- APOD: 2025 August 22 Á A Tale of Two Nebulae