X-ray & Optical Images of Abell 30
The planetary nebula Abell 30, (a.k.a. A30), is located about 5500 light years from Earth. Close-up views of A30 show X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and optical data from the Hubble Space Telescope. The larger view shows optical data from the Kitt Peak National Observatory and X-ray data from ESA's XMM-Newton. A planetary nebula is formed in the late stage of the evolution of a sun-like star, after it expands to become a red giant. In the case of A30, a planetary nebula formed but then the star briefly reverted to being a red giant. The evolution of the planetary nebula then restarted, making it reborn, a special phase of evolution that is rarely seen.
(Credit: Inset X-ray (NASA/CXC/IAA-CSIC/M.Guerrero et al); Inset Optical (NASA/STScI); Widefield X-ray (ESA/XMM-Newton); Widefield Optical (NSF/NOAO/KPNO))