· · · ·

Cat’s Eye Nebula

C6, NGC 6543, PK 96+29.1

Proper NameCat's Eye Nebula
Caldwell NumberC6
NGC/IC NumberNGC 6543
Other DesignationsPK 96+29.1
ConstellationDraco
Right Ascension17h 58m 33s
Declination+66° 37' 59"
Distancec. 3,300 light years
(c. 1,000 parsecs)
MagnitudeApparent: +8.1
Absolute: -1.8
Mean DiameterApparent: 0.4'
Actual: 0.3 light years
Optimum VisibilityJuly (Usually visible from northern latitudes)
NotesThe Cat's Eye Nebula consists of multiple shells of material cast off from a central stellar system. That system is thought likely to be a binary star, whose orbit would help to account for the complex layers and symmetrical spiralling patterns of the nebula as it expands out into space.
17 58 33.400 +66 37 58.75
FoV: 13.98'
×
Go to:

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

A very complex planetary nebula lying in the constellation of Draco, not far from the star Aldhibah or Nodus I.

Indexes

Related Entries