![]() ![]() Without enough energy created by fusion, the core of the star collapses in on itself, while the surface layers are ejected outward. Only the gravity of the star prevents this from happening.Īt the end of the red giant phase of a star, these forces become unbalanced. ![]() The nuclear fusion processes constantly try to rip the star apart. Stars are sustained by the nuclear fusion that occurs in their core, which creates energy. A star like our Sun will, at the end of its life, transform into a red giant. As such, planetary nebulae allow us a glimpse into the future of our own Solar System. A planetary nebula is the final stage of a Sun-like star. It can be seen in the constellation Centaurus (The Centaur), which can be seen primarily in the southern hemisphere. This Picture of the Week from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope shows NGC 5307, a planetary nebula which lies about 10000 light years from Earth. ![]()
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