Ancient nebula that looks like a FLAMING SKULL as it moves through our galaxy
Cosmic dust cloud looks like comic book character Johnny Blaze
The Sh2-68 nebula is at least 45,000 years old
Striking image captured by professor at Kitt Peak National Observatory
A cosmic burning skull blazes ominously in this image taken by a university professor.
The interstellar cloud has been dubbed the flaming skull nebula and is the glowing remains of a dying star larger than our sun.
The Sh2-68 ancient planetary nebula is estimated to be at least 45,000 years old and is currently traveling though the Milky Way.
Astronomers have been quick to point out that the nebula looks like a giant screaming head with flaming hair, streaking across the galaxy.
The Sh2-68 nebula is believed to be over 45,000 years old and is presently making its way through the Milky Way. The 'face' of the skull is composed of oxygen atoms. The image was taken on a specialist camera at Kitt Peak National Observatory
HOW IS A NEBULA FORMED?
Planetary nebulae are formed when a star larger than our sun starts to die and gives off a solar-wind of gas
As it grows older the wind becomes more violent and clashes with fragments of old star, forming strange shapes
Later, the outer layers of the star are blown off and expose the star's hot core, which lights up the surrounding gas and causes the eery glow
Only once the glowing begins is the nebula visible to earth
Factors such as how the star spins, what angle it is viewed at and the chemical composition of the gas affect the shape of the nebula
It might also remind some comic book fans of Ghost Rider hero Johnny Blaze.
The hero's flaming skull typically grins as he fights villains on his motorcycle.
Dr Travis A Rector, an associate professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, captured the striking image.
It was taken on a wide-field view of the Mosaic camera on the Mayall 4-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory.
The star at the heart of the dust cloud is currently moving rapidly through the Milky Way where there is more gas and dust between stars than usual.
The 'flaming hair' is created by the planetary nebula's motion and the hydrogen gas blowing out of the star.
The skull's face is made up of energised oxygen atoms and the dark blue spot at the centre of the blue gas is the star.
Dr Rector has coloured the different gases produced to create the dramatic image.
