螺旋星云（也称为NGC 7293）是一个位于宝瓶座的行星状星云，距地球约700光年。它是最接近地球的行星状星云之一，于1824年被卡尔·路德维希·哈丁发现。

螺旋星云是像太阳这样的恒星在结束生命后成为行星状星云的一个例子。从地球的位置，观看被抛射出去的气体在这个星云的外围，好似望穿透过一个螺旋结构。在残骸中心是恒星的核心，注定要成为一颗白矮星，发出的强光将照亮之前喷发出去的气体并激发出萤光。

螺旋星云直径大约是5.1光年。最近的照片来自哈伯太空望远镜的先进巡天照相机和WIYN大学联盟位于基特峰天文台0.9公尺望远镜合成的影像。

The Helix Nebula, also known as The Helix, NGC 7293, is a large planetary nebula (PN) located in the constellation Aquarius. Discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, probably before 1824, this object is one of the closest to the Earth of all the bright planetary nebulae. The estimated distance is about 215 parsecs (700 light-years). It is similar in appearance to the Cat's Eye Nebula and the Ring Nebula, whose size, age, and physical characteristics are similar to the Dumbbell Nebula, varying only in its relative proximity and the appearance from the equatorial viewing angle. The Helix Nebula has sometimes been referred to as the "Eye of God" in pop culture, as well as the "Eye of Sauron".