The Cat’s Eye Nebula is a planetary nebula located in the Draco constellation. At its center is a dying star. Seen here is the faint halo that stretches 3 light-years around the central nebula. The filaments of the halo are estimated to be 50,000 to 90,000 years old and were shed during earlier periods in the star’s evolution. Their shape is reminiscent of Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities, to my eye. (Image credit: T. Niittee; via APOD)
Cat’s Eye Halo
