Hold the cosmos in your hands.
Before the days of high-speed internet, the best way to see the latest robotic exploration images from the Viking and Voyager missions was to write to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and ask for a press packet. We've recreated that thrilling, tactile experience with our exclusive line of high-quality physical photo prints.
This 8.5" x 11" print features NGC 6543 - The Cat's Eye Nebula. Located roughly 3,300 light-years away in the constellation Draco (The Dragon), the Cat's Eye Nebula is one of the most structurally complex planetary nebulas ever discovered. Like the Dumbbell Nebula, it was created by a dying, sun-like star shedding its outer layers. But why is its shape so incredibly chaotic compared to other nebulas? Astronomers believe there is actually a pair of binary stars dancing around each other at the very center! As the dying star puffed off giant concentric bubbles of gas, the gravitational twisting and turning of its companion star spun that material into complex, overlapping patterns, creating the intricate knots, glowing jets, and sweeping arcs that make it look like a giant cosmic eye staring back at us. Produced on premium one-sided gloss paper, this piece delivers stunning clarity and vibrant colors on the front.
On the reverse side, you'll find an engaging scientific description of this region, along with the exact Bracken Observatory equipment and exposure specs used to capture the shot—including a massive 22 hours and 55 minutes of total exposure time using our EdgeHD 14" telescope—just like the classic JPL media packets of the 1980s.
Whether you're an educator looking for engaging classroom materials, a parent sharing the wonders of the universe with your kids, or an astronomy enthusiast wanting a beautiful physical print to frame, this is the perfect way to experience the cosmos away from a screen.
Product Details:
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Dimensions: 8.5" x 11" (Standard Letter Size)
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Material: Premium one-sided gloss photo paper
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Features: High-resolution image on the front; science facts, shot specs, and an interactive QR code to the online showroom on the back
🔭 From the Desk of Paul Bracken:
"The Cat's Eye Nebula is an absolute marvel of cosmic chaos. Because planetary nebulas are often quite small from our perspective, we really had to unleash the long focal length of the EdgeHD 14 telescope to capture it properly. Pouring nearly 23 hours of exposure time into this image allowed us to resolve all of those incredibly intricate knots and overlapping arcs of gas created by the binary pair at its core. It’s a mind-bending display of astrophysics that translates beautifully onto a high-gloss physical print."
