The Helix Nebula*

This colour-composite image of the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) was created from images obtained using the Wide Field Imager (WFI), an astronomical camera attached to the 2.2-metre Max-Planck Society/ESO telescope at the La Silla observatory in Chile. The blue-green glow in the centre of the Helix comes from oxygen atoms shining under effects of the intense ultraviolet radiation of the 120 000 degree Celsius central star and the hot gas. Further out from the star and beyond the ring of knots, the red colour from hydrogen and nitrogen is more prominent. A careful look at the central part of this object reveals not only the knots, but also many remote galaxies seen right through the thinly spread glowing gas.

This image was created from images through blue, green and red filters and the total exposure times were 12 minutes, 9 minutes and 7 minutes respectively.

This image is available as a mounted image in the ESOshop.

#L

Oikeudet:

ESO

Kuvasta

Tunnistus:eso0907a
Tyyppi:Havainto
Julkaisupäivä:25. helmikuuta 2009
Vastaavat julkaisut:eso0907
Koko:7059 x 6535 px

Kohteesta

Nimi:Helix Nebula, NGC 7293
Tyyppi:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Planetary
Etäisyys:700 valovuotta
Constellation:Aquarius
Kategoria:Nebulae

Kuvaformaatit

Suuri JPEG
9,9 MB
Kokoruudun JPEG
148,7 KB

Zoomattavissa


Taustakuvat

1024x768
155,7 KB
1280x1024
231,9 KB
1600x1200
318,0 KB
1920x1200
382,3 KB
2048x1536
484,9 KB

Koordinaatit

Position (RA):22 29 38.57
Position (Dec):-20° 50' 13.82"
Field of view:28.02 x 25.94 arcminutes
Suuntaus:Pohjoinen on 0.1° vasen pystysuuntaan nähden