Helix Nebula
Helix Nebula: It is one of the most extended Planetary Nebula in the sky, but not so easy to observe, because of its low surface brightness. The star in the center is the dying sun that is the cause of the beautifully colored emission structure of the expelled gas hitting interstellar matter.
In this image the outer layers of the expelled gas can also be recognized, showing the true extent of the nebula, which is much larger than normally seen in images of this object.
For a combined Hubble and ESO image see here.
The image was taken at the observatory of IAS at Hakos Farm in Namibia.
Object |
Helix Nebula |
|---|---|
Catagory |
IAS Hakos, Namibia |
Designation |
NGC 7293 |
Constellation |
Aquarius |
Optics |
Keller 20 inch Cassegrain f/3 in corrected primary focus |
Camera |
SBIG STL-11000M with internal CFW 5 |
Exposure |
3 x 10min Baader H-alpha filter, 3 x 5min each Baader LRGB filterset. Maxim DL for image acquisition |
Calibration |
Dark + Flat Frame |
|---|---|
Guiding |
Selfguiding |
Mount |
Liebscher GEM |
Processing |
Maxim DL5, CCDStack, Photoshop. Color Code L/Ha,R/Ha,GB |
Location, Date |
IAS-Hakos, Namibia - 4 Dec 2010 |
Remark |
Tonemap technique was applied to H-alpha |
