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 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 Her relative obscurity is a reminder that this planetary nebula, located about 2,300 light-years away from Earth, will outlive us all, as well as any remnant memories of us. —

Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 12 Dec. 2023 Observations with the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam), which is Webb's primary imager, also revealed extremely fine rays of light around the planetary nebula. —

Julia Musto, Fox News, 12 July 2022 See all Example Sentences for planetary nebula

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'planetary nebula.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of planetary nebula was in 1785

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Planetary nebula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/planetary%20nebula. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

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