IC 5148, often called the “Helix in the Peacock,” is a bright planetary nebula about 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Grus. It represents the final, graceful stage of a Sun-like star’s evolution as it sheds its outer layers into space. The nebula spans nearly two light-years and expands rapidly through the surrounding interstellar medium, creating a spherical shell of glowing gas illuminated by its hot central white dwarf.

Special processing that reveals only the excess H-alpha emission highlights delicate inner structures nested within the dominant OIII glow. This technique unveils the complex interplay of ionized gases shaped by stellar winds and radiation. The result is a strikingly detailed portrait of a dying star enriching its cosmic neighborhood with the elements that will seed future generations of stars and planets.