SUNSET: 
0
Photographer:
Andreaiorio
Location of Photo:
Marino, Rome, Italy
Date/Time of photo:
17/07/2024
Equipment:
ZWO ASI533MC Pro, ZWO OAG & ASI 120MM, GSO RC6" f9, Skywatcher EQM-35 Pro
Description:
Located around 5000 light-years away in the constellation of Cygnus, Abell 78 is an unusual type of planetary nebula. After exhausting the nuclear fuel in their cores, stars with a mass of around 0.8 to 8 times the mass of our Sun collapse to form dense and hot white dwarf stars. As this process occurs, the dying star will throw off its outer layers of material, forming an elaborate cloud of gas and dust known as a planetary nebula. This phenomenon is not uncommon, and planetary nebulae are a popular focus for astrophotographers because of their often beautiful and complex shapes. However, a few like Abell 78 are the result of a so-called “born again” star. Although the core of the star has stopped burning hydrogen and helium, a thermonuclear runaway at its surface ejects material at hig
