This is a simplified model of a Proto-Planetary Nebula showing the basic physical elements of this type of astronomical object. A central star is encircled by a torus of material generated by an accretion disk. Two symmetric lobes of gas are ejected along the axis of rotation of the system, and the whole object is enveloped in a tenuous spherical shell of gas.

The 3D model and animation was done by Valérie Torchinsky using Blender software. The GIF animation was generated using gifsicle.

last update 2003-09-13