Hubble’s Observation of the Stingray Nebula in 2016

Archival data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveal that the nebula Hen 3-1357, nicknamed the Stingray nebula, has faded precipitously over just the past two decades. Witnessing such a swift rate of change in a planetary nebula is exceedingly rare, say researchers.

This image captured by Hubble in 2016 shows how the nebula has drastically dimmed in brightness and changed shape. The young nebula no longer pops against the black velvet background of the distant Universe.