The Helix Nebula is another example of a planetary nebula. See the Ring Nebula (M57) for a description of how planetary nebulae are formed. Keep in mind that looking at this object through the largest telescopes will reveal only a faint grayish circle. Color only emerges in long-exposure images. If you could approach this object in a spaceship, you would be hard pressed to see any trace of it through your front windshield!
The "Helix Nebula" (NGC7293) in Aquarius
Date Taken:August 30, 2005
Location Taken: Conditions of Location:FWHM 2.5
Equipment Used:Takahashi TOA-130 5" apochromat refractor telescope, SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera, Optec TCF-S focuser, Astrodon RGB filters
Processing Used:6x600 seconds luminance, 4x300 seconds RGB, guided, combined in Maxim and processed in Photoshop (curves and levels).
Distance from Location:500 light years (the light seen in this image left the nebula shortly after Columbus reached the New World)
Constellation:Aquarius (the "water carrier")
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