NGC 7293 (The Helix Nebula)
Constellation: Aquarius
Distance: 700 Light Years
The closest "planetary nebula" to earth (see the Dumbbell Nebula for a description of how these nebula form). The collapsed white dwarf star, seen at the center, energizes more central oxygen which glows teal/green, and more peripheral hydrogen, which appears read.
Acquisition Data:
9/4-5/2010, North Branch NY
45 X 6 minutes, ISO 1600
Canon t1i (500D), modified
AstroTech RC-8, focal length 1625 mm
CGEM mount, guided with Starlight Express Lodestar autoguider and PHD Guiding
Processed with Images Plus and Photoshop CS2