NGC 6826- The Blinking Planetary Nebula

Click on image for larger version.

NGC 6826 is a wonderful example of a planetary nebula due to the amount of detail it presents. First of all, the name refers to the nature of human vision and not that of the nebula at all! The nebula appears to "blink" because it is dim. Human eyeballs have their least sensitive cells in the center of the fovea. Thus, staring at this object makes it appear to dim (or even disappear) whereas using "averted vision" makes the nebula look brighter. In a telescope this nebula glows a neon green with bright central star. This image also shows slightly reddish blobs in the 2 and 8 clock positions. These structures are called "FLIERS" and are not yet explained by astronomers who attempt to model the evolution of these objects. The black and white image beneath the color version shows an ancient outer shell that was cast off by this star long ago.

(For the top image)

Equipment

Meade 16in LX200 telescope operating at f/10
SBIG ST8E CCD camera with color filter wheel

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

Luminance = 40 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 6 minutes binned 1x1
 Green = 6 minutes binned 1x1
 Blue = 12 minutes binned 1x1
  • Three iterations of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp were applied to the luminance image.

  • The most subtle application of unsharp mask was applied.

    • Minimum credit line: Tom Boerner and David Young/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF (top)

    RETURN to the Planetary Nebula 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: 3/28/2001