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A planetary nebula is the disk of matter around a star that will eventually form a planetary system.

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Final answer:

A planetary nebula is a shell of gas ejected by an extremely hot low-mass star nearing the end of its life. It can have different shapes and is believed to be surrounded by a doughnut-shaped disk of gas.

Step-by-step explanation:

A planetary nebula is a shell of gas that is ejected by and expands away from an extremely hot low-mass star that is nearing the end of its life. It glows because of the ultra-violet energy of the central star. These nebulae can have different shapes, such as a simple ring or multiple lobes of matter flowing in opposite directions. Astronomers believe that a considerable number of planetary nebulae consist of a dense, doughnut-shaped disk of gas surrounding the dying star.

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