A telescope in Chile has unveiled a dazzling new view of a planetary nebula shaped like a delicate cosmic butterfly.
The image was captured last month by the Gemini South telescope and released Wednesday by the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab, the image showcases the nebula’s ethereal beauty.
Known formally as NGC 6302 and nicknamed the Butterfly Nebula, it lies 2,500–3,800 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. For scale, a single light-year equals about six trillion miles.
At its heart sits a white dwarf star that shed its outer layers long ago. Those expelled gases now form radiant, butterfly-like wings glowing under the star’s lingering heat.
The target was chosen by Chilean schoolchildren to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the International Gemini Observatory, adding a celebratory, community touch to the cosmic spectacle.
This observation underscores both the elegance and intricacy of planetary nebulae, offering scientists and the public a vivid glimpse into the dramatic closing chapter of a star’s life.
