Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cancer (Cnc)  ·  Contains:  PK208+33.1

Image of the day 01/19/2022

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    Abell 30, Peter Goodhew
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    Image of the day 01/19/2022

    Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
      Abell 30, Peter Goodhew
      Powered byPixInsight

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      Description

      Abell 30 is a small (127 arc seconds) extremely faint planetary nebula located approximately 5,500 light-years away in the constellation of Cancer.  Abell 30 is one of just three known nebulae called born-again planetary nebulae. Very rarely, nuclear reactions within the vicinity of a white dwarf can heat the gases to such high temperatures that the tiny star briefly becomes a red giant once more. This is a very brief phase, lasting a mere 20 years or so.  The original nebula is estimated to be around 12,500 years old (which in itself is very brief in astronomical terms). The tiny features in the centre of the bubble are evidence of this re-birth. They are most probably comprised of helium and carbon-rich materials and were ejected around 850 years ago.

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      Abell 30, Peter Goodhew