| Last Updated: April 5, 2019 by GlitchMindApril 5, 2019

A nebula is a dust and gas cloud characterized by luminescent patches of brightness with dark contrast. Typically comprised of helium, hydrogen and various other ionized gases. Nebula photos provide captivating and sensational imagery showcasing some of the universe’s most beautiful works of art.



Here are 7 NASA nebula photos to marvel at:

Twin Jet Nebula

Photo: NASA

The Twin Jet nebula a.k.a. Minkowski 2-9 is a bipolar planetary nebula whose two sides resemble mirrored exhaust from jet engines.

Constellation : Ophiuchus

: Ophiuchus Distance from Earth: 2,120 light years

Crab Nebula



Photo: NASA

Remnants of a supernova explosion, the Crab Nebula spans approximately 10 light years. It was discovered in 1731 by John Bevish, an astronomer from England.

Constellation : Taurus

: Taurus Distance from Earth: 6,523 light years

Rosette Nebula

Photo: NASA

This magnificent deep-space object is nearly 65 light years in size. Its rose shape is where the nebula’s name originates.

Constellation : Monoceros



: Monoceros Distance from Earth: 5,219 light years

Trifid Nebula

Photo: NASA

This beautiful star forming region was discovered by Charles Messier in 1764. Its name means “divided into three lobes” due to it consisting of a rare combination of an emission nebula, a reflection nebula and a dark nebula.

Constellation : Sagittarius

: Sagittarius Distance from Earth: 5,200 light years

Cat’s Eye Nebula

Photo: NASA

Another binary planetary nebula, the Cat’s Eye was discovered in 1786 by William Herschel. The image above is taken from Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS).

Constellation : Draco



: Draco Distance from Earth: 3,262 light years

Carina Nebula

Photo: NASA

The Carina Nebula is large. Although four times bigger than the well-known Orion Nebula, the Carina is less famous because of its location in the southern sky.

Constellation : Carina

: Carina Distance from Earth: 7,500 light years

Lagoon Nebula

Photo: NASA

Occasionally under perfect circumstances, the Lagoon Nebula will make itself visible to the human eye. Discovered sometime around 1654, this is the oldest nebula on the list.