Helix Nebula

The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) is a planetary Nebula located relatively close to Willingboro – say 650 light-years or so. It is about 2.5 light-years in diameter.

A planetary nebula is formed by a low-mass star shedding its outer layers as it nears the end of its live. They are called “planetary” because they look like the disks of a planet when viewed through a small telescope. In this picture, you can see the white-hot, dying star located in the center of the nebula.

To further confuse you, although the Helix Nebula looks like a bubble, it is actually shaped like a tube. We, here in Willingboro, just happen to be fortunate enough to be looking directly down the inside of the tube.

The blue-green glow in the center of the Helix nebula is caused by oxygen atoms shining under effects of the intense ultraviolet radiation (120 000 degree Celsius) from the central star. The red color further out is from the area where hydrogen and nitrogen are more prominent.

For my location, this nebula was rather difficult to photograph. First, I was trying out the new Celestron Autoguider which uses plate solving to acquire the target and I did not have it aligned with the telescope adequately, hence the nebula was slightly off-center. Secondly, due to the nebula being rather close to the horizon, houses and telephone poles and trees limited my exposure time.