Exposures: 120 min each of ionized nitrogen(NII), hydrogen (Ha) and doubly isonized oxygen (OIII) for a total of 6 hrs
Color processed by mapping NII, Ha, and OIII to red, green an blue, respectively, NII added as a luminance layer.
FOV =32 x21 arc minutes
The Helix Nebula is an example of a planetary nebula - formed at the end of a star's evolution. The remnant central star (known as the nucleus) will eventually become a white dwarf. As the central burns the last of its fuel, the glow becomes so energetic that it causes the expelled gases (hydrogen and oxygen) to flouresce. We see this flourescence as red and teal.
The inner region of the nebula spans about 3 light-years across, whereas the outer fainter shell feature is over six light-years across (Source: Wikipedia).
700 light years away
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