By Shylaja Varma
Published Aug 20, 2024

Hindustan Times
In Focus

Photo Credits: NASA

5 mesmerising images of seafood-shaped nebulae captured by NASA

NASA recently shared 5 breathtaking images of nebulae, giant clouds of gas and dust in space, that resemble seafood.

Image Credits: NASA

The “Prawn” Nebula, IC 4628, is a huge stellar nursery in the constellation Scorpius, about 6,000 light years from Earth.

Photo Credits: NASA

The image of the prawn nebula was captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. It covers a space four times the size of the full moon

Photo Credits: NASA

The “Lobster” Nebula, NGC 6357, is home to some of the most massive stars in our galaxy.

Photo Credits: NASA

The “Lobster” Nebula is located about 8,000 light-years from Earth. 

Photo Credits: Dean Carr/NASA

The “Shrimp” Nebula, SH2-188, is located in the constellation Cassiopeia.

Photo Credits: NASA

The “Garlic” Nebula, CTB 1, is a supernova remnant that is about 11,000 years old.

Photo Credits: NASA

The translucent shell of gas resembles the papery outer shell of a head of garlic.

Photo Credits: NASA

The “Lemon Slice” Nebula, IC 3568, has a diameter of about .4 light-years, or about 1/10th the distance to our nearest neighbour star.

Photo Credits: NASA

Nebulae often serve as the birthplaces of stars. Some nebulae scatter the light of stars hiding in or near them.

Photo Credits: NASA

Studying nebulae helps scientists understand how stars, including Sun, are born and evolve

Video Credits: NASA