The Helix Nebula (NGC7293)

[hjw]

The Helix Nebula (NGC7293) is one of the nearest planetary nebulae to our solar system - about 700 light years away. The nebula itself is the gas blown away from the central star when it neared its evolutionary cycle. The light from the remnant of the star causes the gas to fluoresce, hence the color.

Equipment: Saxon 200DS on a SW HEQ5 mount, guided with a SW 80ST scope and a ZWO ASI120MC camera. Imaged with a Pentax K-30 equipped with a GSO coma corrector and a Baader UHC-S filter. 40 images 300sec each ISO 1600, 20 flats and 150 bias frames taken over two nights.

Stacked with DSS and processed with photoshop (contrast, vibrancy, color balance and levels)

Clear skies!

HJ

[tooth_dr]

Love it! wish we could see it up here.