NGC 7293 - The Helix Nebula

The Helix is a planetary nebula about 450 light years distant in Aquarius.  Although its total  magnitude is about 7, the light is spread out over an area of approximately 16 arc minutes, making the nebula difficult to see even in a dark sky.   I first photographed the nebula in 2002 with the 237 camera and again in 2008 with the 402 camera.

Taken Sept. 26 and Sept. 29, 2008, with the C-14 operating at F: 3.5 (focal reducer). This is a mosaic of two images, each of which is a 30 minute exposure through each of the three color filters, for a total exposure time of 3 hours. Color combine and mosaic done with Maxim DL.

Taken October 8, 2002, with the 300mm Nikkor on the 237 camera.  Exposure is about 10 minutes, using track and accumulate.

The above image processed with Maxim DL to bring out faint detail in the nebula.