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

Recent Examples on the Web
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The snapshot above showcases NGC 1514, a planetary nebula that resides roughly 1,500 light-years from Earth in the constellation Taurus. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Today's photo concerns the planetary nebula NGC 1514. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 15 Apr. 2025 This small planetary nebula, like others like it, was formed by gases in the outer layers of a dying star. Miguel Claro, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2025 This image features a deep field view of the Cassiopeia constellation immersed in the glow of ionized hydrogen gas, where the two small planetary nebulas can be found, Abell 6 and the larger HFG1. Miguel Claro, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for planetary nebula

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of planetary nebula was in 1785

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Cite this Entry

“Planetary nebula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/planetary%20nebula. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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