NGC 6302 (The Butterfly Nebula): With an estimated surface temperature of about
NGC 6302 (The Butterfly Nebula): With an estimated surface temperature of about 250,000 degrees C, the central star of this particular planetary nebula is exceptionally hot — shining brightly in ultraviolet light but hidden from direct view by a dense torus of dust. This dramatically detailed close-up of the dying star’s nebula was recorded by the newly upgraded Hubble Space Telescope. Credit: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble SM4 ERO Team
