A nice close-up shot of NGC 7293 The Helix Nebula, also known as the “Eye of God”.
This is a large planetary nebula (PN) located in the constellation Aquarius.
This is a dying star blowing off its outer atmosphere!
Discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, likely before 1824, this object is one of the closest to the Earth of all the bright planetary nebulae.
Based on recent measured expansion rates this Planetary Nebula is about 10,600 years old.
The central star is destined to become a white dwarf.
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.
This will be the fate of our Sun in about 6 billion years from now!!!
Capture Details:
Celestron RASA 8 inch diameter F2.2 Telescope, ZWO AM5 Harmonic Tracking Mount, ZWO 294MC Cooled Cmos Camera, Starizona NBZ UHS Filter, ASI Air Plus, via Ethernet to I-Pad,
12 x 300 second sub exposures, 60 minute total integration time from my observatories at JBSPO in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
The first image is a 70% Crop Close-up from my original wide field shot. One of my best shots of the Helix to date.
Best Regards,
John Chumack
www.galacticimages.com
