Key Takeaways:
- NGC 7008, a planetary nebula, exhibits a morphology resembling a human fetus due to its dense gas concentrations.
- Bright regions observed within NGC 7008 are composed of dense gas, not stars.
- The constellation Cygnus contains a significant number of additional planetary nebulae.
- A resource providing details, including location and classification, for 53 planetary nebulae in Cygnus is available.
One of the more bizarre planetaries, NGC 7008 reminds many of a human fetus. The bright spots on the northern tip and at the western edge are regions of dense gas — not stars.
Donn and Aaron Starkey/Adam Block /NOAO/AURA/NSF
Many more planetary nebulae await you in Cygnus the Swan. Download this table for detailed information about 53 planetaries, including where to find them and how they are classed. Bold entries are described in my article in the July issue of Astronomy, “Explore planetary nebulae in Cygnus.”
