PHOTOGRAPH #135 · nebulae
NGC6543 (The Cat’s Eye Nebula)
Randal Healey · Utahopia Observatory
The Cat’s Eye Nebula is a famous planetary nebula located in the northern constellation Draco. The nebula’s designation in the New General Catalogue is NGC 6543.
The Cat’s Eye is one of the most structurally complex nebulae known. It was formed around 1,000 years ago when a hot, bright central star expelled its outer envelope. It is sometimes also known as the Sunflower Nebula or the Snail Nebula. It lies at a distance of 3,300 light years from Earth.
The Cat’s Eye Nebula is easy to observe from northern latitudes as it is located almost exactly in the direction of the North Ecliptic Pole. The nebula appears as a diffuse blue-green disk crossed by an s-shaped brown curve, with an intricate circular structure at the inner region. The nebula’s core has an apparent size of 20” and a high surface brightness.
Original description & acquisition details ↗The Cat’s Eye is one of the most structurally complex nebulae known. It was formed around 1,000 years ago when a hot, bright central star expelled its outer envelope. It is sometimes also known as the Sunflower Nebula or the Snail Nebula. It lies at a distance of 3,300 light years from Earth.
The Cat’s Eye Nebula is easy to observe from northern latitudes as it is located almost exactly in the direction of the North Ecliptic Pole. The nebula appears as a diffuse blue-green disk crossed by an s-shaped brown curve, with an intricate circular structure at the inner region. The nebula’s core has an apparent size of 20” and a high surface brightness.
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