U.S. National Science Foundation releases image of dying star resembling crystal ball (1/1)

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) releases an image of the dying star NGC 1514, May 21, 2026. (Photo/Agencies)

NGC 1514 is actually a binary star system 1,500 light-years away, nicknamed the Crystal Ball Nebula because of the milky white, spherical cloud around it. A light-year is almost 6 trillion miles.