Observation by Peter Goodhew FRAS: NGC 2346

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Peter Goodhew FRAS

Observer

Peter Goodhew FRAS

Observed

2023 Feb 01 - 15:49

Uploaded

2023 Feb 01 - 15:51

Objects

The Butterfly Nebula (NGC2346)

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Constellation

Monoceros

Field centre

RA: 07^h09^m
Dec: +00°48'
Position angle: +1°10'

Field size

0°16' × 0°09'

Equipment

APM TMB LZOS 152 Refractors
QSI6120 CCD Cameras
10Micron GM2000 HPS mount

Exposure

25 Hours 55 minutes HaOIIIRGB

Location

Fregenal de la Sierra, Spain

Target name

NGC 2346

Title

NGC 2346

About this image

NGC 2346 is a bipolar planetary nebula in the constellation of Monoceros. It is informally known as the Butterfly Nebula. It has an unusually cool central star, which is a spectroscopic binary.
The central star is a binary star system consisting of an A-type subgiant and a subdwarf O star. The system, which has an orbital period of 16 days is also variable, probably due to dust in orbit around it. The dust itself is heated by the central star and so NGC 2346 is unusually bright in the infrared part of the spectrum. When one of the two stars evolved into a red giant, it engulfed its companion, which stripped away a ring of material from the larger star's atmosphere. When the red giant's core was exposed, a fast stellar wind inflated two ‘bubbles’ from either side of the ring.
Captured on my remote observatory in Spain.
More information at https://www.imagingdeepspace.com/ngc-2346.html

Files associated with this observation

NGC2346.jpg (543.4 kB)

Like this image

Manolo_Rodriguez, Graeme Coates, Simon Paul Davis, David Davies, Callum Potter

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