Numerous bow shocks in the outer Helix Nebula – Nature0

• SCIENCE, Science / Health, Science Mission Directorate, scientists, Space, Space Communications & Navigation Program, Space Launch System (SLS), Space Telescope, space-x-ipo, SpaceX
• August 13, 2026

The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) is one of the closest and brightest planetary nebulae, and therefore a benchmark for resolving how the late-stage ejecta of stars couple to their surroundings. Using the Gaia EDR3/DR3 astrometric solution for the central star (WD 2226-210), we adopt a distance of d = 198.6 (+1.6/−1.8) pc (ref. 10). Imaging of the Helix