NGC 6781 is a planetary nebula a few thousand light-years away towards the constellation of Aquila (the Eagle) and is approximately two light-years across. Within NGC 6781, shells of gas blown off from the faint, but very hot, central star’s surface expand out into space. These shells shine under the harsh ultraviolet radiation from the progenitor star in intricate and beautiful patterns. The central star will steadily cool down and darken, eventually disappearing from view into cosmic oblivion. NGC 6781 is only 1.8 arc minutes across, so this image is a crop from the original image. 22h45m total integration (R. G. B 15x300s, Lum 30x300s, Ha 31x1200s, OIII 21x1200s). Alcalal, Spain 18-2492017.