The Helix nebula named for its apparent helical structure is the nearest planetary nebula to our sun.  It's apparent size in the sky is so large it almost covers the size of a full moon.  It  may be viewed in the smallest of telescopes as a ghostly doughnut.  Note the blueish 13.5 magnitude star in the center is what remains of the original star that exploded to create this beautiful object.  The stats are Constellation Aquarius, Planetary Nebula, RA: 22h 29m 38.4s, Dec: -20° 50' 12", Mag: 7.5 (P), Size: 16.0'.

Optics:
Camera:
Exposure:

Celestron C11 F/5.6 (1566mm Focal Length)
SBIG ST10XME with Adaptive Optics
LRGB = 170:40:60:40 minutes

Date:
Location:
Imager:

August 15, 2004
Columbus, Texas
Kent E. Biggs