These high resolution images of space scenes are matted to perfection on quality card-stock board and feature a description of the image on back. Astronomers using the Hubble telescope have obtained the sharpest view yet of a glowing loop of gas called the Ring Nebula (M57), first cataloged more than 200 years ago by French astronomer Charles Messier. The pictures reveal that the "Ring" is actually a cylinder of gas seen almost end-on. Such elongated shapes are common among other planetary nebulae, because thick disks of gas and dust form a waist around a dying star. This "waist" slows down the expansion of material ejected by the doomed object. The easiest escape route for this cast-off material is above and below the star. This photo reveals dark, elongated clumps of material embedded in the gas at the edge of the nebula; the dying central star is floating in a blue haze of hot gas. There is a $200.00 minimum order for matted space images. You can mix and match any combination and quantity of space images or space products to fulfill this minimum. Orders that do not reach the minimum order amount will be charged $11.00 per matted space image. Image property of NASA. S2002$3.19Size: 8x10 matte with 5x7 image All images © Astolith Graphic Products, inc. and John C. Wittenberg unless otherwise identified.