IC 418 is a planetary nebula. The nebula shows the life cycle of a star. A star emits light like Taeyang, and nuclear fusion reactions occur at its center. As time passes, the nuclear fusion reactions weaken, and the star gradually dies. The gas that forms the star dissipates, becoming a planetary nebula, and ultimately becomes a white dwarf that collapses to the size of Earth. The planetary nebula is, in a sense, the last garment that a star wears before it dies.
IC 418 has been given the nickname the Spiragraph Nebula. A spiragraph refers to a toy or device that creates geometric patterns. IC 418 resembles the human iris, but upon closer examination, the patterns appear abstract. It is located 2,000 light-years from Earth.