More Spitzer: The Helix Nebula

the image above - featuring the helix nebula - was taken recently by the spitzer space telescope. the helix nebula is a beautiful example of a planetary nebula, the end state of stars with masses similar to that of our sun. the remnant of this energetic event is a white dwarf, which can be seen as the small white spot in the center of the image above. (image credit: spitzer)