Planetary Nebula in Cygnus
This is an excellent planetary nebula for visual observation through amateur telescopes. The central star is not hard to see, and two other stars may be seen embedded within the oval shape. A darker center and other structure can be seen with careful observation.
Through a telescope, this nebula appears about the same size as the famous Ring Nebula (Messier 57) in Lyra, although the NGC 7008 is dimmer. It is about 1 light year in diameter, slightly larger than the Ring Nebula.
| Magnitude | 11.0 |
| Apparent Size | 1.6' x 1.2' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 2900 |
| Right Ascension | 21:00.5 |
| Declination | +54 32 |
Image details: 62 exposures of 120 seconds each, taken with a ZWO ASI2600MC Pro imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/5.6.
September 2026