NGC 7009, also known as the Saturn Nebula, is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Aquarius. It was discovered by the astronomer William Herschel in 1782 and is approximately 18,000 light-years away from Earth. The nebula gets its name from its resemblance to the planet Saturn, featuring a bright central region surrounded by a fainter, elongated halo. The central star of NGC 7009 is a hot, dying star that emits intense ultraviolet radiation, causing the surrounding gas to glow. This nebula is notable for its distinct shape and vibrant colors, which are produced by the ionization of gases like hydrogen and nitrogen.