NGC 7293 : Helix Nebula in Aquarius

Imaged on 8/11/07
Scope: Takahashi FSQ106
Mount: Losmandy G-11
Camera/Autoguider: SXV-H9c
Exposures: 18 x 5 minutes
Site: Palomar Mountain
Temp: 66 degrees, calm, very good seeing

The Helix Nebula is one of the closest of all planetary nebulae, only 450 ly away. Although the nebula is quite bright, its light is spread over a large area so that it is not an easy object for visual observing.