Part 1 of 3:
I've recently completed an imaging project of MWP1 and ALV1. While both are easily shown in a single image, I've separated these into individual posts because I thought they were interesting on their own.
A widefield image of MWP1 and ALV1 can be found here:
MWP1 and ALV1_wider field MWP1 (discovered by C. Motch, K. Werner and M. Pakull in 1993) is an ancient, bipolar planetary nebula in Cygnus at a distance of 4500 light years. MWP1 is one of the largest known planetary nebulae with a diameter of about 15 light years and an estimated age of 150,000 years. Typically, planetary nebula will disperse below detection in about 10000 to 20000 years making it a challenge for scientists studying MWP1's evolutionary history. Various theories exist as to why this nebula is still visible today. The bipolar structure may suggest that there is a close binary central star or one that has a significant magnetic field. The central star, RX J2117.1+3412, is also a pulsating GW Vir star [a type of pulsating white dwarf with a very short period - on the order of a few minutes to just over one hour - whose luminosity varies due to non-radial gravity wave pulsations within itself]. (Tweedy, RW and Kwitter, KB, “An Atlas of Ancient Planetary Nebula and Their Interaction with the Interstellar Medium,” J. Astrophys. Supp. V107, p 2556 (1996). (Ref: Astrodon Imaging, MWP1). MWP1 is sometimes called the Methuselah Nebula because of its age.
Both Ha and OIII data appeared to have a similar relative level of brightness (see Revisions). Some SII data was taken to enhance the background nebula. Note the bluish central star is somewhat offset from center.
Imaged over several nights: Aug 10, 30; Sep 1, 4, 9, and 19, 2022.
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