One of the most structurally complex planetary nebulae known, NGC 6543, popularly called the Cat’s Eye Nebula, lies about 3,300 light-years away in the constellation Draco. At its heart is a dying star that has expelled its outer layers into intricate shells of glowing ionized gas. This image captures not only the iconic teal core but also the fainter filamentary halos that extend well beyond its central nebula, likely the result of episodic mass loss over thousands of years.

Remarkably, the nebula is set against a starfield studded with faint galaxies, including a prominent spiral below it. These background galaxies provide a cosmic depth to the frame, contrasting the relatively nearby planetary nebula with structures billions of light-years away. This portrait is a powerful reminder of the beauty and scale of celestial evolution.

Floating quietly in the constellation Delphinus, Abell 72 is a faint planetary nebula and one of the lesser-known entries in George Abell’s 1966 catalog. Its delicate structure and low surface brightness make it a challenging target for astrophotographers and visual observers alike. The nebula marks the remains of a Sun-like star in its final evolutionary stages, having shed its outer layers and exposed its hot, ultraviolet-emitting core.

Appearing here as a delicate blue shell against a dense starfield, Abell 72 spans nearly two arcminutes across. Its rounded, bubble-like structure reveals subtle inner details when captured with long exposures and careful image calibration. The glowing gas is primarily ionized oxygen (OIII), giving it its distinct blue hue. Despite its ghostly appearance, this fading stellar envelope tells a vivid story of transformation and cosmic recycling.

NGC 7635, also known as the Bubble Nebula, is a striking emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia. This cosmic beauty gets its name from the bubble-like structure created by the stellar wind from the massive, young, and luminous star at its center, SAO 20575. The intense radiation and powerful stellar winds from this central star interact with the surrounding interstellar medium, sculpting the nebula's delicate and intricate features.