Category Archives: Nebula

Cat’s Eye Nebula

The Cat’s Eye Nebula (also known as NGC 6543) is a planetary nebula in the northern constellation of Draco. Our star was recently eclipsed by the moon, this nebula was an exploded star (about 1000 years ago). The Cat’s Eye Nebula cannot be seen by naked eye and lies about three thousand light-years from Earth. In my telescope it is small and dim.

NGC 6543 is in the center of the frame.

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Messier 42, 43 & 78

M42 (NGC 1976) is a star forming nebula, an emission and reflection nebula in Orion.

M43 (NGC 1982) is also a star forming nebula and emission and reflection nebula with an open star cluster, also in Orion.

M78 (NGC 2068) is the great star forming nebula, a reflection nebula, with an open star cluster, in Orion.

Mark Bailey

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