It looks as if the universe is watching Earth; this is the deep field image of the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293), known as "the eye of the universe." A deep field image refers to a photograph taken by exposing dark areas of the universe for a long time.
The Helix Nebula is a nebula formed from the gases expelled by a star similar to the Sun at the end of its life, making it one of the brightest and relatively closest planetary nebulae to Earth. As the core of the remaining star evolves into a white dwarf, it emits high-energy light, causing the entire nebula to shine like fluorescence.
The structure of this nebula is not limited to a simple spiral. It features a complex and intricate shape with radially extending filaments and outer rings, capturing the attention of astronomers. By magnifying the edges of the nebula, one can also observe complexly intertwined clumps of gas, so-called "gas knots," and their origins are still actively being researched.