IC 418 · planetary nebula

Spirograph Nebula

IC 418, also known as the Spirograph Nebula, is a bright planetary nebula located in the constellation of Lepus about 3,600 ly away from Earth.

RA05h 27m 28sDec−12° 41' 50"

Image: NASA / GSFC. Source: GSFC via images.nasa.gov.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: IC 418
All designations: IC 418 · Spirograph Nebula
Object type: Planetary Nebula
Constellation: Lepus
Best viewing: Winter

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 05h 27m 28s
Declination (J2000): −12° 41' 50"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —

III

Visibility tonight

The science

IC 418, also known as the Spirograph Nebula, is a bright planetary nebula located in the constellation of Lepus about 3,600 ly away from Earth. It spans 0.3 light-years across. The central star of the planetary nebula, HD 35914, is an O-type star with a spectral type of O7fp. The nebula formed a few thousand years ago during the star's last stages of its red giant phase. Material from the star's outer layers was ejected from the star into the surrounding space. The nebula's glow is caused by the central star's ultraviolet radiation interacting with the gas.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0