NGC 2440

Click on image for larger version.

Click HERE to see the region around NGC 2440. Click on the image to the left to see a resampled (enlarged) image. This nebula is powered by an incredibly hot central star (not shown in this image). The central star, a white dwarf, is enshrouded by the cocoon of gas that it shed a few tens of thousands of years ago. It is estimated that the temperature of this star may hold the current (in our galaxy) record at over 300,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Hubble Space Telescope images have caputured both the central star and the complex gas cloud that surrounds it. (Click Here to see an image)

Equipment

20in RC Optical Systems telescope Operating at f/8.4
Paramount ME Robotic Telescope Mount
SBIG ST10XME CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance= 20 minutes (synthetic) binned 1x1
 Red = 20 minutes binned 1x1
 Green = 20 minutes binned 1x1
 Blue = 20 minutes binned 1x1
  • DDP was used to display the inner structure and dim outer halo.
  • The AO unit was used to acquire this image.

    • Minimum credit line: Jeff Cremer/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

    RETURN to the PLANETARY NEBULAE page.

    BACK to main Best of AOP page.

    Would you like to take images like this? Click here.

    [NOAO logo] Return to NOAO Home Page

    Updated: 12/19/2003