from US$22.21
Japan, Ogasawara
Stargazing Tour - Observe the best starry sky in Japan, Ogasawara!
Explore
Quiet Stargazing
Waving goodbye
Explore the profound quiet of the universe through NASA's high-resolution archives. Perfect for your stargazing journey.
Celestial Log
NASA Observation
This planetary nebula is called PK 329-02.2 and is located in the constellation of Norma in the southern sky. It is also sometimes referred to as Menzel 2, or Mz 2, named after the astronomer Donald Menzel who discovered the nebula in 1922. When stars that are around the mass of the Sun reach their final stages of life, they shed their outer layers into space, which appear as glowing clouds of gas called planetary nebulae. The ejection of mass in stellar burnout is irregular and not symmetrical, so that planetary nebulae can have very complex shapes. In the case of Menzel 2 the nebula forms a winding blue cloud that perfectly aligns with two stars at its centre. In 1999 astronomers discovered that the star at the upper right is in fact the central star of the nebula, and the star to the lower left is probably a true physical companion of the central star. For tens of thousands of years the stellar core will be cocooned in spectacular clouds of gas and then, over a period of a few thousand years, the gas will fade away into the depths of the Universe. The curving structure of Menzel 2 resembles a last goodbye before the star reaches its final stage of retirement as a white dwarf. A version of this image was entered into the Hubble's Hidden Treasures image processing competition by contestant Serge Meunier.
Expedition
Experience the serenity of the cosmos
Discover nebula-themed journey sites designed for peaceful observation.
New Zealand
Small-Group Refined Experience - Stargazing English Tour in Tekapo | New Zealand
ExploreHawaii
Hawaii Big Island: Mauna Kea Stargazing Half-Day Tour with Transfer Service in Waikoloa, Kona, and Hilo
Explore
Knowledge Base
Stargazer FAQ
Are the colors in this nebula image real?
NASA often uses 'false color' techniques. Scientists map invisible wavelengths (like infrared) or specific gases to visible colors (red, green, blue) to highlight the nebula's structural details.
Can I see this nebula with a standard telescope?
While some bright nebulas are visible with entry-level telescopes, capturing these stunning details usually requires deep-sky astrophotography equipment and long exposures.