Helix nebula

The Helix Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation of Aquarius. in the New General Catalogue of 1888 it is number 7293. It is about 700 light-years away from Earth. It is also known as the Eye of God and Eye of Sauron in pop culture because it looks like an eye.

Central star

One study says that the white dwarf within the Helix Nebula destroyed a Jupiter-sized planet, creating a strange X-ray signal. Another study from 2025 found from X-ray observation that the central star may be accreting the remains of that planet. This would be closer than the planet found via optical variability.

Related pages

Cat's Eye Nebula

References

↑ "Urban Legends Reference Pages". Eye of God. Retrieved 5 February 2004.
↑ "THE EYE OF SAURON (AKA NGC7293)".
↑ Todd, Iain (6 March 2025). "The Eye of God Nebula may have torn apart a Jupiter-like planet, creating a strange X-ray signal from within". BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
↑ "Accretion onto WD 2226$-$210, the central star of the Helix Nebula". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Other websites

Sonification of the Helix Nebula on YouTube

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[1] "Urban Legends Reference Pages". Eye of God. Retrieved 5 February 2004.

[2] "THE EYE OF SAURON (AKA NGC7293)".

[3] Todd, Iain (6 March 2025). "The Eye of God Nebula may have torn apart a Jupiter-like planet, creating a strange X-ray signal from within". BBC Sky at Night Magazine.

[4] "Accretion onto WD 2226$-$210, the central star of the Helix Nebula". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.