This dark and mysterious cosmic image stunned astronomers at first glance.

Initially, the two “lobes” seen at the bottom left and top right were classified as separate objects and labeled NGC 2371 and NGC 2372.

But this #HubbleClassic image actually depicts a single planetary nebula. This nebula is sometimes referred to as NGC 2371/2.

This structure is the result of a Sun-like star reaching the end of its life when it exploded its outer layers and blasted them into space.

The bright star seen in the center, between the two lobes, is a superheated stellar core left over from this process.

Image description:

The center of the image shows a bright pink star surrounded by clouds of glowing cosmic material condensed into two lobes in the lower left and upper right. These lobes glow faintly pink.

 

Image credits: ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Wade et al.