| Planetary
Nebula
PNG 130.2+01.3, PK 130+01.1, ARO 91 Integrated Visual Magnitude: 13.6 Apparent Diameter: 26" Magnitude of central star: 15.4 Distance: 6700 ly Actual Diameter: 1 ly Minimum requirements to view: 10-inch scope and dark skies |
This
is a small, obscure planetary nebula that is best observed in 12-inch or
larger instruments due to its tiny size. It holds quite a unique
surprise in these telescopes!
At 95x it appears as a very slightly fuzzy, 12th magnitude star. At 430x it takes on a bit of a box-like shape, although it is mostly round. If you look closely you will see a knotty inner ring. With averted vision the central part of the nebula--the part inside of this ring--actually takes on the appearance of a dark, round hole. This hole isn't always visible, but when it is it is quite distinct. It looks rather like someone took a hole punch and punched out the center of the nebula!
Although a ring shape is fairly common for planetaries, it is the relatively small size of the dark center of IC 1747 which makes it striking.
An OIII filter is said to help make the nebula more visible.
The field in a 16-inch
at 92x. North is down and east is to the right.
| Millennium
Star Atlas Vol I Chart 34
Sky Atlas 2000 Chart 1 Uranometria 2000 Vol I Chart 17 |
