The “Cat’s Eye” planetary nebula, NGC 6543: a wonderful image.
We imaged the legendary NGC 6543 planetary nebula, nicknamed “Cat’s Eye” because of its shape, sharing the same spot with a nice galaxy, NGC 6552. Here it is such a wonderful picture.
NGC 6543, the “Cat’s Eye” planetary nebula, and galaxy NGC 6552.
The image above comes from the average of 55, 90-second exposures, remotely taken with the C14+Paramount ME+ST-10XME robotic unit available as part of the Virtual Telescope Project facility in Manciano, Italy, under the darkest skies of the Italian peninsula (SQM=21.5).
This remarkable image of the planetary nebula NGC 6543, known as the “Cat’s Eye Nebula” for its shape, is a spectacular example of cosmic beauty and astrophysical complexity.
It is one of the best-known and most studied planetary nebulae, located about 3,000 light-years away in the constellation of Draco. The dying star at its core has expelled its outer layers into space, forming an intricate structure composed of ionized gas shells, filaments, and expanding arcs. The robotic telescope of the Virtual Telescope Project used to grab this shot has captured this wonder with outstanding clarity, allowing us to admire its finest details. Particularly striking is the apparent symmetry of the central region, surrounded by a fainter and more irregular halo, likely a remnant of earlier evolutionary phases. NGC 6543 offers us a valuable glimpse into the final moments of a Sun-like star’s life, reminding us that stellar death can give rise to extraordinary works of celestial art.
NGC 6552, visible on the right, is a distant barred spiral galaxy located about 400 million light-years away in the constellation Draco. Though faint and far, it harbors an active galactic nucleus—evidence of a supermassive black hole feeding at its core.
A tribute to the creativity of the universe, observed under the dark skies of Manciano.
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