Helix Nebula

Photograph information

Telescope : LX200 at f 6.3

Film : Kodak supra 400

Exposure : 60 min Autoguided 216XT

Date : 17/8/2001

Location : Greece Island Crete

Object Information:

NGC 7329 the "Helix Nebula" (or the "Helical Nebula"), is a planetary nebula, given its name apparently because it resemble the DNA double helix. It is just another ring nebula, only much larger and fainter than the one M57 in lyra. Located in constellation Aquarius can be found 1.5 degrees west of upsilon Aquarii . Its distance is only about 450 light years, this planetary nebula is probably the closest planetary nebula to us in space.

Because of its large light spread out over about 15'its surface brightness is rather low. The blue central star magnitude 13.1 is a doomed star . The nebula is easy observed with the use of an O-III filter  but without it just a faint grayish circle is seen. 

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