planetary nebula
noun
: a usually compact luminous ring-shaped nebula that is composed of matter which has been ejected from a hot star at its center
Examples of planetary nebula in a Sentence
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This planetary nebula is the remains of a star similar to the sun, which shed most of its mass at the end of its life, with its core becoming a smoldering white dwarf shrouded by this ex-stellar material.
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Robert Lea, Space.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Despite their name, planetary nebulas are not related to planets.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2024
Another class of object that the dusty blobs could hypothetically be—but are not—is a compact planetary nebula or CPN.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 4 July 2024
As a red giant, Arcturus is at the end of its life and will eventually transform into a planetary nebula.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024
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Robert Lea, Space.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Despite their name, planetary nebulas are not related to planets.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2024
Another class of object that the dusty blobs could hypothetically be—but are not—is a compact planetary nebula or CPN.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 4 July 2024
As a red giant, Arcturus is at the end of its life and will eventually transform into a planetary nebula.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for planetary nebula
Cite this Entry
“Planetary nebula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/planetary%20nebula. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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