NASA Hubble captures stunning image of Wolf-Rayet Star Hen 2-427, surrounding nebula M1-67

Both objects are located in the Sagittarius constellation, roughly 15,000 light-years from Earth.

At the center of the image, Hen 2-427 shines intensely, while clumps of hot gas are being ejected into space at speeds exceeding 93,000 miles per hour (150,000 kilometers per hour). This dramatic expulsion of matter creates a striking spectacle in the surrounding nebula.

What kind of star is Hen 2-427?

Hen 2-427 is classified as a Wolf-Rayet star, a rare and massive type of star named after astronomers Charles Wolf and Georges Rayet.

Wolf-Rayet stars are known for being extremely hot and shedding enormous amounts of matter into space through strong stellar winds.

A young and vibrant nebula

The nebula M1-67, which envelops Hen 2-427, is estimated to be no older than about 10,000 years, a relatively short time in astronomical terms.

Despite its youth, it forms a spectacularly beautiful halo of gas and dust around the star, glowing brightly in the Hubble image, according to NASA.

This cosmic duo offers astronomers a vivid glimpse into the life cycle of massive stars and the dramatic processes that shape nebulae in our galaxy.