NGC 6543, commonly known as the Cat’s Eye Nebula, is one of the most structurally complex nebulae known. Located about 3,300 light-years from Earth in the constellation Draco, this planetary nebula showcases a stunning array of intricate features when observed in high resolution. Its central region, a roughly 1,000-year-old planetary nebula, displays a bright, elliptical core surrounded by concentric rings, jets, and intricate filaments of gas.

The Cat’s Eye Nebula is a prime example of the end stages of stellar evolution for medium-mass stars. The nebula’s unique structure is believed to result from the interactions between the fast winds from the central star and the slower-moving material ejected in earlier phases. High-resolution imaging, especially from the Hubble Space Telescope, has revealed the nebula’s complex geometry, helping astronomers understand the mechanisms driving the formation of such elaborate shapes in planetary nebulae.