Click the image for a larger version (50%)
| Catalogue and alternative designations |
NGC 7293, Helix nebula |
| Type | Planetary Nebula |
| Position | 22 29.6, -20 48 |
| Constellation | Aquarius |
| Camera and Telescope | STXL16200 and 36.8 cm Ritchey Chretien |
| Focal Ratio | F9 |
| Exposure Details | This is a HaOIIIOIII bicolor image with RGB stars. Ha = 270 minutes, OIII = 410 minutes, Red = Green = Blue = 40 minutes all unbinned |
| Description | Located in Aquarius, the Helix is one of the nearest planetaries being about 700 light years distant. Because of its large size (15' x 12') it has a fairly low surface brightness although the visible magnitude is 6.5. The prominent central star is magnitude 13.4. It was discovered by Karl Ludwig in one of his sky surveys prior to 1824. |