Name: Pa J0637.4 +3327Catalog number: PNG 181.2+11.8 Coordinates: 06 37 28.2 +33 27 07.5 (J2000)Pa J0637.4 +3327 is a candidate for a planetary nebula in the constellation Auriga and this is the first image of this nebula ever taken.
The object was discovered by the famous and highly successful amateur astronomer Dana Patchick back in December 2018.
Pa J0637.4 +3327 consists of a hot star of magnitude 17.19 surrounded by a nebula about 15 arcminutes in diameter. The total extent of the nebula in H-alpha is probably 30 arcminutes or more.
If a spectrum confirms that it is a true planetary nebula, then Pa J0637.4 +3327 is an exceptionally large representative of its class, making it additionally a true rarity.
Interesting also the optical similarity to another PN candidate discovered by the team of Marcel Drechsler and Xavier Strottner - StDr 61/PNG 134.3+02.5 (Link:
https://www.astrobin.com/rtdcdy) in Cassiopeia.
As with Pa J0637.4 +3327, the OIII structure around the central star seems to have a massive tail of H-alpha trailing behind it.
It is unknown if this H-alpha tail originates from the central star in both PN candidates or if it is ionized interstellar material.
Planetary Nebula candidate StDr 61, Copyright (Mathieu Guinot / Marcel Drescher)
Whatever the true nature of Pa J0637.4 +3327 is, one fact is certain, its definitely a new jewel in the constellation of Auriga.
Data acquisition: Jon Talbot
Data preparation: Jon Talbot
Image processing: Marcel Drechsler
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