SUNSET: 
0
Photographer:
Jim Case
Location of Photo:
Southern California
Date/Time of photo:
9/28-9/30/2022
Equipment:
The image was constructed from 66 x 5 minute exposures from an 8” LX200 ACF telescope with an Optec Lepus focal reducer, and a ASI294MC Pro camera, and an Antila ALP-T duo narrowband filter, using an ASIAIR plus controller, an Ioptron CEM40 mount, a ASI294MC-Pro camera, and an ASI OAG with a ASI174mm mini camera for guiding. Processed with APP and PS.
Description:
The Helix Nebula in Aquarius is about 10,600 years old, and is the nearest planetary nebula to earth, about 700 light years from us, and thus visually the largest planetary nebula in our night sky. The remnant of the central star ionizes the expanding shells visible in the image. The red in the image is from ionized hydrogen, while the blue/green in the center is from ionized oxygen.
