Image 5-6
Planetary Nebula in Puppis

This is an image of a planetary nebula known as NGC 2440. This nebula is located in the constellation Puppis. The white dwarf star at the center of this nebula is extremely hot and may be the hottest yet discovered. Its surface temperature is nearly 400,000 degrees fahrenheit (200,000 degrees Celsius). Most planetary nebulas have a more symmetric round shape. The chaotic shape of this nebula suggests that it may have shed its outer layers in stages instead of all at once. NGC 2440 lies about 4,000 light years from Earth.