Top 10 mind-blowing animal-shaped nebula images shared by NASA

The Eagle Nebula: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures the majestic Eagle Nebula, resembling a soaring eagle with outstretched wings. The nebula's pillars of gas and dust give birth to new stars. (Image: NASA)

Penguin and Egg Nebula: The Penguin and Egg Nebula, or NGC 2936, is a galactic pair resembling a mother penguin guarding an egg. Located 326 million light-years away, it features a spiral galaxy distorted by gravitational interactions. (Image: NASA)

The Tarantula Nebula: Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, the Tarantula Nebula's spider-like shape is home to a multitude of stars and star clusters. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope showcases its intricate details. (Image: NASA)

Butterfly Nebula: The Butterfly Nebula, or NGC 6302, resembles delicate wings spread in space. This planetary nebula, located 3,800 light-years away, forms when a dying star sheds its outer layers. Its bright, colourful clouds are heated by an intense white dwarf at the centre, creating a stunning cosmic display. (Image: NASA)

Cat’s Eye Nebula: The Cat’s Eye Nebula, or NGC 6543, is a mesmerising planetary nebula with intricate, layered shells of gas. Located 3,000 light-years away, its eerie, glowing structure results from a dying star’s violent outbursts. (Image: NASA)

Crab Nebula: The Crab Nebula, or M1, is a stunning supernova remnant formed from a star explosion recorded in 1054 AD. Located 6,500 light-years away, its filaments of gas and dust expand outward, powered by a rapidly spinning neutron star. The nebula's dynamic, glowing structure continues to captivate astronomers worldwide. (Image: NASA)

Bat Nebula: The Bat Nebula, or NGC 6995, is part of the Veil Nebula and resembles outstretched bat wings in deep space. Formed by a supernova explosion, this vast structure is 2,100 light-years away. Its glowing filaments of ionised gas, captured by NASA, create an eerie yet breathtaking celestial formation. (Image: NASA)

Caterpillar Protostar: The Caterpillar Protostar, or IRAS 20324+4057, is a dense cloud of gas and dust resembling a caterpillar. Located 4,500 light-years away in the Cygnus constellation, this star-forming region is shaped by powerful stellar winds. As young stars develop, they illuminate the dark cosmic cloud, revealing stunning details. (Image: NASA)

Spider Nebula: The Spider Nebula, or IC 417, is a dazzling star-forming region located 10,000 light-years away in the Auriga constellation. Its wispy tendrils of gas and dust resemble a cosmic spider’s web. NASA’s observations reveal young, hot stars illuminating the nebula, creating a glowing, web-like structure in deep space. (Image: NASA)

Dragon’s Egg Nebula: The Dragon’s Egg Nebula is a glowing stellar nursery within the larger Dragon Nebula. Located thousands of light-years away, its vibrant clouds of ionised gas and dust fuel active star formation. NASA’s images reveal bright young stars emerging from the nebula’s heart, resembling a dragon’s egg hatching in space. (Image: NASA)