Cosmic Scale
Helix Nebula
Planetary nebula · 655 light-years
How big is Helix Nebula?
Helix Nebula is about 5.74 light-years across.
See Helix Nebula in 3D, at true scale
The Helix Nebula is the glowing shell of gas thrown off by a dying Sun-like star. The star's exposed core, now a white dwarf, lights the gas from inside. It is one of the nearest planetary nebulae to Earth.
At a glance
| Diameter | 5.74 light-years |
|---|---|
| Diameter compared with Earth | 4.3 × 10⁹ × Earth |
| Distance | 655 light-years |
| Size | About 5.7 light-years across |
| Age | About 10,600 years |
| Nickname | The Eye of God |
Good to know
- Our Sun will make a nebula like this in about 5 billion years.
- Its inner edge is full of thousands of comet-shaped knots of gas, each bigger than the Solar System.
- Despite the name, planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets.
- Next smaller: Oort Cloud · 3.16 light-years
- Next larger: Crab Nebula · 11.0 light-years