VISTA's Look at the Helix Nebula (IMAGE)

ESO

VISTA's Look at the Helix Nebula — Caption

ESO's Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) has captured this unusual view of the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293), a planetary nebula located 700 light-years away. The coloured picture was created from images taken through Y, J and K infrared filters. While bringing to light a rich background of stars and galaxies, the telescope's infrared vision also reveals strands of cold nebular gas that are mostly obscured in visible images of the Helix.

Credit

ESO/VISTA/J. Emerson. Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit

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