Mz3 (Menzel 3) is a planetary nebula that was discovered on July 20, 1997 by astronomers Bruce Balick (University of Washington) and Vincent Icke (Leiden University) on observations done with the Hubble Space Telescope. The telescope was later used on June 30, 1998 by Raghvendra Sahai and John Trauger of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to picture the planetary nebula.

Mz3 is often referred to as the Ant Nebula because it resembles the head and thorax of a garden-variety ant.

External links

• NASA APOD - Planetary Nebula Mz3: The Ant Nebula http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap010205.html

References

1. STScI. Astro-Entomology? Ant-like Space Structure Previews Death of Our Sun http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/newsdesk/archive/releases/2001/05/ . Press release: Space Telescope Science Institute. February 1, 2001.