                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2026 May 22

                        The Nebulous Realm of WR 134
         Image Credit & Copyright: Luigi Morrone and Telescope Live

   Explanation: This cosmic snapshot covers a field of view over twice as
   wide as the full Moon within the boundaries of the high-flying
   constellation Cygnus. Made using astronomical narrowband filters, the
   image highlights the bright edge of a ring-like nebula traced by the
   glow of ionized hydrogen and oxygen gas. Embedded in the region's
   expanse of interstellar clouds, the complex, glowing arcs are sections
   of shells of material swept up by the wind from Wolf-Rayet star WR 134,
   the brightest star near image center. Distance estimates put WR 134
   about 6,000 light-years away, making this telescopic frame over 100
   light-years across. Shedding their outer envelopes in powerful stellar
   winds, massive Wolf-Rayet stars have burned through their nuclear fuel
   at a prodigious rate and end their final phase of massive star
   evolution in a spectacular supernova. Their stellar winds and final
   supernova explosion enrich the interstellar material with heavy
   elements to be incorporated in future generations of stars.

                        Tomorrow's picture: 2nd place
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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