NGC 7293, The Helix Nebula

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This is the famous Helix Nebula, a large planetary nebula in the constellation Aquarius.  It is only about 450 light years distant and covers about half a degree of sky (about the size of a full moon).  Although bright at magnitude 7.3 the nebula's light is spread across such a wide area of sky that it is a challenging visual target.

Date:  9/29/2008

Location:  Okie-Tex Star Party

Telescope:  LX200 10" SCT @ f/6.3

Mount:  AP-1200 GTOCP3

Camera:  Hutech Modified Canon 350D @ ISO 800

Exposure Count:  35 x 10 min, 350 minutes total exposure

Guiding:  SBIG ST402ME, CCDSoft