10 Stunning NASA Space Images That Look Like Animals

Sheetal Kumari

September 3, 2024

A COSMIC COLLECTION

Hubble's image of the Butterfly Nebula (NGC 6302) shows teal gas emanating from a white core, forming a striking butterfly-like shape with vibrant "wings.

Butterfly Nebula

Representative Image: NASA

Hubble’s image of the Cat’s Eye Nebula (NGC 6543) reveals concentric rings around a bright core, showcasing a detailed bull’s eye pattern.

Cat’s Eye Nebula

Representative Image: NASA

The Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant recorded in 1054 AD, is now an 11-light-year-wide glowing relic of the star’s explosion.

Crab Nebula

Representative Image: NASA

LDN 43, a 12-light-year-long cosmic bat in Ophiuchus, is a stellar nursery blocking light and glowing with new star formations.

Bat Nebula

Representative Image: NASA

NASA's Webb Telescope captures Arp 142, resembling a penguin with an egg, showing new star formation glowing blue.

Penguin And Egg

Representative Image: NASA

NASA's image shows IRAS 20324+4057, a protostar in early stages, with its gas envelope eroded by radiation from Cygnus OB2.

Caterpillar Prostar

Representative Image: NASA

The Red Spider Nebula features huge waves, sculpted by a hot star's winds, reaching 100 billion kilometres high, 3,000 light-years away.

Spider Nebula

Representative Image: NASA

The Snake Nebula, or Barnard 72, is a dark absorption cloud in Ophiuchus, with carbon-rich dust absorbing and reradiating starlight in infrared.

Snake Nebula

Representative Image: NASA

NGC 6164's central star, HD 148937, is so hot it heats surrounding gas, glowing brightly like a pearl or egg in the nebula's centre.

Dragon's Egg Nebula

Representative Image: NASA

The Eagle Nebula (M16) resembles an eagle soaring through space. Located 6,500 light-years away, it's a favourite for astronomers.

Butterfly Nebula

Representative Image: NASA