Helix nebula

The Helix Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation of Aquarius. in the New General Catalogue of 1888 it is number 7293. It is about 700 light-years away from Earth. It is also known as the Eye of God[1] and Eye of Sauron[2] in pop culture because it looks like an eye.

Central star

One study says that the white dwarf within the Helix Nebula destroyed a Jupiter-sized planet, creating a strange X-ray signal.[3] Another study from 2025 found from X-ray observation that the central star may be accreting the remains of that planet. This would be closer than the planet found via optical variability.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Urban Legends Reference Pages". Eye of God. Retrieved 5 February 2004.
  2. ↑ "THE EYE OF SAURON (AKA NGC7293)".
  3. ↑ Todd, Iain (6 March 2025). "The Eye of God Nebula may have torn apart a Jupiter-like planet, creating a strange X-ray signal from within". BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
  4. ↑ "Accretion onto WD 2226$-$210, the central star of the Helix Nebula". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

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