Although nuclear burning of hydrogen and helium had ceased in the core of the dying star, causing it to collapse under its own weight and its envelope to expand into a bubble, some of the stars outer layers became so dense that fusion of helium resumed there. The renewed nuclear activity triggered another, much faster wind, blowing more material away. The interplay between old and new outflows has shaped the clouds complex structure, including the radial filaments that can be seen streaming from the collapsing star at the centre. Read more
Abell 78 (also PK 081-14.1, PN G 081.2-14.9 and 2MASS J21352938+3141453) is a magnitude +13.4 planetary nebula located in the constellation Cygnus.
The planetary nebula was discovered by American astronomer George Abell using the 48-inch (1.2 m) Samuel Oschin telescope at Mount Palomar before August 1955, and listed in 1966.
Right Ascension 21h 35m 29.38s, Declination +31° 41' 45.3"