The Helix Nebula
November 09, 2023
Photographer: John Chumack
Summary Author: John Chumack
Shown above is the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293), also known as the "The Eye of God." This large planetary nebula, located in the constellation Aquarius, was caused by 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 The Helix Nebula is thought to be about 10,600 years old, and its estimated distance is about 215 parsecs (700 light-years). Photo taken from my observatories at JBSPO in Yellow Springs, Ohio on October 2, 2023.
Photo 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 and 60-minute total integration time.
Yellow Springs, Ohio Coordinates: 39.8064, -83.8869
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