NGC 6781   HOME INDEX BACK NEXT
 

Planetary Nebula in Aquila

This planetary nebula is fairly large, and is not difficult to observe through a medium-sized telescope. Through my 18-inch Dobsonian telescope, the nebula has a mottled appearance, and the south edge is sharpest. This slowly expanding shell of gas is about 2 light years in diameter, and it is illuminated by the blue central star.

Magnitude 12
Apparent Size 1.9'
Distance (light yrs) 3,100
Right Ascension 19:18.4
Declination +6 33
Field of View 22.5' x 15'

Image details:  6 images, each 150 seconds at ISO 1600, taken with a Canon 400D camera through a Meade 12” telescope at f/10. 

July 2010