The Helix Nebula (also known as NGC 7293) is an apparently large planetary nebula located in the constellation Aquarius. This object is one of the closest to Earth of all bright planetary nebulae. The estimated distance is about 700 light-years. The Helix is similar in appearance to the Ring Nebula M57. It is shaped like a prolate spheroid with strong density concentrations toward the filled disk along the equatorial plane, whose major axis is inclined about 25° from our point of view. The Helix's brighter inner region measures about 3 light-years across, the fainter outer halo features give the nebula a span of well over six light-years. The white star at the Helix's center is this Planetary Nebula's hot central star. A simple looking nebula at first glance, the Helix is now understood to have a surprisingly complex geometry.