Geometry of the Blue Ring Nebula (Animation) (VIDEO)

W. M. Keck Observatory

Caption

The Blue Ring Nebula consists of two expanding cones of debris. The base of one cone is moving toward Earth. Both bases are outlined in magenta, revealing shockwaves created as the debris races through space. Blue represents material behind the shockwave and is visible only where the cones overlap.

Credit

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt

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