NGC 7009: The Saturn Nebula

Click on image for larger version.

Though taken under variable seeing conditions, this image still records the intricate detail of this nebula. Most intriguing are of course the ansae that extend along the longer axis of the nebula. In case you are wondering, the word "ansae" is from Latin- literally it means "handles." Try looking up that word in an English dictionary sometime. :) To-date the process by which these ansea and reddish "FLIERS" develope is still unknown. This structure is observed in many well-known planetary nebula.

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 = (R+G+B+L) 25 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 5 minutes binned 1x1
 Green = 5 minutes binned 1x1
 Blue = 5 minutes binned 1x1
  • Eight iterations of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp were applied to the resampled luminance image.

    • Minimum credit line: Brad Ehrhorn/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 06/06/2003