IC 3568 - a perfect planetary nebula (1 photo)

Planetary nebula IC 3568, informally known as the "Lemon Slice," is located in the constellation Camelopardalis (the Camelopardalis), approximately 4,500 light-years from Earth. It is a relatively young nebula by cosmic standards, with a diameter of only about 0.4 light-years.



IC 3568 is the product of the death of a Sun-like star, which, having exhausted its supply of thermonuclear fuel, ejected its outer layers into space. The exposed hot core emits powerful ultraviolet radiation, causing the ejected gas to glow.

IC 3568 is known for its near-perfect spherical symmetry—a very rare phenomenon for planetary nebulae. Most such objects have complex, asymmetrical shapes, but here the shell is remarkably smooth and uniform, truly reminiscent of a lemon wedge.

At the center of the nebula lies a hot white dwarf—the remnant of a star once similar to the Sun. The gaseous shell will continue to dissipate into interstellar space, while the core will gradually cool and dim.

This image was taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope on December 17, 1997.