Helix Nebula

Object Type: Planetary Nebula
Scope: AP 5" Refractor; Exposure 190 minutes.

The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) is one of the nearest and brightest planetary nebulae - the glowing shell of gas cast off by a dying Sun-like star - in the constellation Aquarius. It was discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding before 1824. Lying only about 650 light-years away, it is among the closest planetary nebulae to Earth; its hot central white dwarf ionizes the surrounding gas and makes it glow. The ring-like face, crossed by thousands of comet-shaped knots of gas, has earned it the popular nickname the 'Eye of God.' Hubble and, more recently, the James Webb Space Telescope have imaged it in fine detail.