Deep Sky Object in Winter
Abell 8 (Planetary Nebula in Auriga)



Date & Time: Nov 1 2025, from 25:54 to 26:48 JST(+0900)
Composed 10 shots with 6 minutes exposed
Optical: Meade 25cm(10") Schmidt-Cassegrain with conversion lens (f=1600mm, F6.3)
with IDAS LPS-P1 Light-pollution suppression filter
Auto-guided with Meade LX200 Equatorial & Lacerta M-GEN
Digital Camera: Nikon D810A
Location: Ooizumi, Hokuto city, Yamanashi pref.

Camera Settings: Recording Format...14bit CCD-RAW, converted to 16bit TIFF(2040×2040)
Device Size...10×10mm
Sensitivity...ISO4000, White Balance...Daylight



Abell 8 / Planetary nebula, type IIb
R.A.05h 06m 38.4s (2000.0)
Dec.+39°08' 09" (2000.0)
Apparent Size60.0"
Real Size1.5 light yrs.
Magnitude16.6
Distance5200 light yrs.
Other IDsPK 167-0.1
Abell 8 is a small planetary nebula located within the pentagon of Auriga, about 2 degrees south of η Aurigae. It appears as a red, circular nebula about 1 arcminute in apparent diameter, and its distance is estimated to be 5200 light-years. Although it cannot be seen in this photograph, the central star is of 20th magnitude. This nebula is thought to be the remnant of a star that reached the end of its life within the small open cluster (Bica 6) located just to its northwest.




Abell 7 & Crimson Star

Abell 13


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