Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Aquarius (Aqr)  ·  Contains:  Helix Nebula  ·  NGC 7293
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NGC7293 Helix Nebula, Patrick Stevenson
NGC7293 Helix Nebula
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NGC7293 Helix Nebula

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Description

The Helix Nebula (also known as NGC 7293 or Caldwell 63) is a planetary nebula (PN) located in the constellationAquarius. Discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, most likely before 1824, this object is one of the closest of all the bright planetary nebulae to Earth.=10.5px   The distance, measured by the Gaia mission, is 655±13 light-years.=10.5px   It is similar in appearance to the Cat's Eye Nebula and the Ring Nebula, whose size, age, and physical characteristics are similar to the Dumbbell Nebula, varying only in its relative proximity and the appearance from the equatorial viewing angle.=10.5px  The Helix Nebula has sometimes been referred to as the "Eye of God" in pop culture,=10.5px  as well as the "Eye of Sauron".

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NGC7293 Helix Nebula, Patrick Stevenson

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Cloudy Nights