NGC 246: I have always had trouble seeing this object as its light is spread over a large area, but I got a good view at low power through a nebular filter. It lies right in the middle of a triangle of stars including Diphda in western Cetus and its central star is double (3.8"). It is a close planetary nebula, well, close in planetary nebula terms at 2100 light years (Hipparcos). Sometimes called the Skull nebula, it is in Patrick Moore's Caldwell Catalogue at number 56 and was discovered by William Herschel in 1785.
Monday 13 October 2008
An autumn gem
NGC 246: I have always had trouble seeing this object as its light is spread over a large area, but I got a good view at low power through a nebular filter. It lies right in the middle of a triangle of stars including Diphda in western Cetus and its central star is double (3.8"). It is a close planetary nebula, well, close in planetary nebula terms at 2100 light years (Hipparcos). Sometimes called the Skull nebula, it is in Patrick Moore's Caldwell Catalogue at number 56 and was discovered by William Herschel in 1785.
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