Final answer:
A planetary nebula is a shell of gas ejected from a star late in its life. It is formed when a low-mass star expels its outer layers of gas into space.
Step-by-step explanation:
A planetary nebula refers to a shell of gas ejected from a star late in its life. It is formed when a low-mass star, nearing the end of its life, expels its outer layers of gas into space, creating a glowing shell of gas. These nebulae glow due to the ultraviolet energy emitted by the central star.