Cosmic Starfish by Tom Chao In the constellation of Aquila…
Cosmic Starfish
by Tom Chao
In the constellation of Aquila (the Eagle), a dying star known as IRAS 19024+0044 ejects a starfish-shaped cloud of gas and dust, as it slowly makes the transition to a white dwarf surrounded by a planetary nebula. Five blue lobes extend from the central star, although their formation is not entirely understood.
(via: Space.com) (image: ESA/Hubble, NASA and R. Sahai)