Giant waves are forming in the Red Spider Nebula, about 3000 light years away in the constellation Sagittarius.

This two-lobed planetary nebula hosts one of the hottest stars known, and its powerful stellar winds create waves 62.4 billion miles (100 billion km) high. The waves are caused by supersonic shocks when local gas is compressed and heated in front of the rapidly expanding lobes. Atoms caught in the shock emit the spectacular radiation seen in this image.

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The nebula glows in golden hues, with two lobes extending from the bright centre, spilling out gas and dust. Bright white stars contrast with the black background of space.