Observation by Peter Goodhew FRAS: R Aquarii

Uploaded by

Peter Goodhew FRAS

Observer

Peter Goodhew FRAS

Observed

2023 Dec 11 - 08:43

Uploaded

2023 Dec 21 - 08:49

Objects

R-Aqr

Equipment
  • APM TMB LZOS 152 telescope
  • QSI6120wsg8 cameras
  • 10Micron GM2000 HPS mount
  • ZWO ASI6200MM Pro
  • Celestron EdgeHD 14"
  • 10Micron GM3000 HPS mount
Exposure

58 hours 30 minutes HaOIIIRGB

Location

Fregenal de la Sierra

Target name

R Aquarii

Title

R Aquarii

About this image

R Aquarii is a symbiotic binary surrounded by a large and complex nebula known as Cederblad 211 with a prominent curved jet.
This nebula is roughly 650 years old. R Aquarii is believed to contain a white dwarf and a Mira-type variable in a binary system. The orbital period is approximately 44 years.
The giant primary star is a Mira variable, a star that pulsates and changes temperature, leading to very large visual brightness changes.
In total it varies in brightness by a factor of 750, and with a period of 390 days.
The central region of the jet shows an ejection that took place around 190 years ago, as well as much younger structures
In 2018 Mike Sidonio discovered previously unknown faint outer features from his Terroux Observatory near Canberra, Australia (https://pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/r_aquarii).
These were featured in a paper by Limmets and collaborators in 2018 (New insights into the outflows from R Aquarii}.
Despite these detections, no clear imaging of these extensions has been produced to date.
We therefore decided to conduct deep imaging from our remote observatories in southern Spain so as to reveal the physical nature of these features.  
Captured using our remote telescopes in Spain.
A total of 58 hours 30 minutes (HaOIIIRGB)
More information at https://www.imagingdeepspace.com/r-aquarii.html

Files associated with this observation
Like this image
Comments
Jeremy Shears
Jeremy Shears, 2023 Dec 21 - 10:55 UTC

Fantastic result!

Copyright of all images and other observations submitted to the BAA remains with the owner of the work. Reproduction of work by third parties is expressly forbidden without the consent of the copyright holder. By submitting images to this online gallery, you grant the BAA permission to reproduce them in any of our publications.