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> Planetary nebula Helix in Aquarius

Planetary nebula Helix in Aquarius

author: Jim Misti/Novapix

reference: a-nep72-93008

Image Size 300 DPI: 33 * 22 cm

The Helix nebula is the largest planetary nebula in the sky subtending an angle the size of half the full moon, and can easily be seen even in small binoculars despite it's low surface brightness if observed under a dark and transparent sky. Sometimes called the "Sunflower" nebula, it is a shell of expanding gas blown off by the magnitude 13.3 star at it's center, which is extremely hot.

Keywords for this photo:

2005 - AQUARIUS - ASTRONOMY - DWARF - EVOLUTION - HELIX - NEBULA - NGC 7293 - PLANETARY NEBULA - STAR - WHITE DWARF -