Cat’s Eye Nebula: NASA’s Hubble and Euclid telescopes captured stunning new images as it marks its final stage

NASA’s Hubble and Euclid Telescopes Capture Stunning New Details of Cat eye Nebula (Image: NASA/ESA/Hubble/Euclid)

• Astronomers released a new image of the Cat's Eye Nebula
• Hubble and Euclid telescopes combined for detailed composite view
• Cat's Eye Nebula seen in Draco constellation, 4,400 light-years away

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Astronomers have now released a breathtaking new image of the Cat’s Eye Nebula. This is one of the most intricate and beautiful planetary nebulas in our night sky. The Cat’s Eye Nebula is a glowing cloud of gas and marks the final stage in the evolution of a Sun-like star. The image has been made from a combination of data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the Euclid Space Telescope.

When the Cat’s Eye Nebula Appears in the Night Sky?

The Cat’s Eye Nebula is visible in the Northern Hemisphere from late spring to summer, especially between May and August. During this period, it rises high in the night sky and becomes easier for observers with telescopes to locate.

Astronomers noted that the nebula is usually best observed around midnight to the early morning hours. At this time, its host constellation is highest above the horizon.

How Scientists Observed the Nebula?

Scientists shared images of Cat eye nebula with two telescopes. The Hubble Space Telescope captured extremely detailed images of the nebula’s bright inner region. In this case, the nebula had intricate filaments as well as swirling clouds of gas.

Hubble's resolution is very high, enabling astronomers to observe the structures that are created as a dying star loses its outer layers.

Hubble image of Cate Eye Nebula. (Image: Hubble/NASA)

In addition to this, the Euclid Space Telescope gave a wide-angle view of the nebula, which enabled astronomers to see its faint outer halo as well as distant galaxies that are located in the background.

By merging images from both telescopes, researchers produced a new composite image that shows the nebula with both fine detail and cosmic context.

Euclid Space Telescope's image of Cat Eye Nebula. (Image: ESA/Euclid)

What did scientists saw in the Cat’s Eye Nebula?

Astronomers have seen arcs, filaments, and gas bubbles surrounding the central part of the Cat’s Eye Nebula. The new view also shows faint outer halos that stretch far beyond the central part of the Cat’s Eye Nebula. These are clues about the evolution of the star and how it lost its outer layers.

Where Is the Cat’s Eye Nebula Located?

The Cat’s Eye Nebula is located in the northern constellation Draco, commonly known as the Dragon. The Cat’s Eye Nebula is about 4,400 light-years away from the Earth.

It is considered one of the most complex planetary nebulas known. The layered appearance of the Cat’s Eye Nebula is like a glowing eye, hence the name given to it.