Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Aquarius (Aqr)  ·  Contains:  Helix Nebula  ·  NGC 7293
NGC 7293 - Helix Nebula, Eyal
NGC 7293 - Helix Nebula
Powered byPixInsight

NGC 7293 - Helix Nebula

NGC 7293 - Helix Nebula, Eyal
NGC 7293 - Helix Nebula
Powered byPixInsight

NGC 7293 - Helix Nebula

Equipment

Loading...

Acquisition details

Loading...

Description

The Helix Nebula (also known as NGC 7293 or Caldwell 63) is a 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 distance, measured by the Gaia mission, is 655±13 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".

The Helix Nebula is an example of a planetary nebula, formed by an intermediate to low-mass star, which sheds its outer layers near the end of its evolution. Gases from the star in the surrounding space appear, from our vantage point, as if we are looking down a helix structure. The remnant central stellar core, known as the central star (CS) of the planetary nebula, is destined to become a white dwarf star. The observed glow of the central star is so energetic that it causes the previously expelled gases to brightly fluoresce.

Only 7.5 hours data of HaRGB. Not enough integration time for this beauty. I wanted to preserve the teal color known in planetary nebulae, and to get structure from the Ha. I got some structure in the eyebrow as well.

Comments

Sky plot

Sky plot

Histogram

NGC 7293 - Helix Nebula, Eyal