NGC6781

NGC6781 is a planetary nebula seen in the direction of the Constellation Aquila a few thousand Light-Years distant near the Milky Way. The nebula was formed by expanding shells of gas ejected by the central (now) blue/white white dwarf star during its latter stages of life. The expanding shells of gas floresce from the ultraviolet radiation of the magnitude 15.5 central star which is very hot and dense, forming a beautiful circular gas bubble with lobes on the north and south sides, which is approximately 2 Light-Years across. Eventually, the white dwarf star will cool down and fade.

Object: NGC6781
Distance: A couple of thousend Light-Years
Magnitude: 12.5
Date: August 2010
Place: Fort Davis, Texas
Exposure Details: LRGB:480:180:180:260 unbinned

Processing: MaxIm DL, CCDStack, Photoshop CS3

Optics: 12.5" RCOS Truss
Focal Length: 2808mm @ f9
Mount: Paramount ME GEM Robotic
Camera: SBIG STL6303E
Focuser: RCOS
Guiding: Off-Axis with SBIG Guide Camera
Filters: Tru-Balance LRGB Gen II 2"