Close-up Pan of The Medusa Nebula | ESO

Close-up Pan of The Medusa Nebula | ESO

This close-up pan video shows the most detailed image ever taken of the Medusa Nebula (also known Abell 21 and Sharpless 2-274). It was captured using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. As the star at the heart of this nebula made its final transition into retirement, it shed its outer layers into space, forming this colorful cloud. The image foreshadows the final fate of the Sun, which will eventually also become an object of this kind.

Distance: 1,500 light years

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)

Duration: 50 seconds

Release Date: May 20, 2015

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