Kronberger 61

Kronberger 61
Nebula
Image of the Kronberger 61 nebula taken by the Gemini Observatory
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension 19h 21m 38.936s[1]
Declination +38° 18′ 57.2420″[1]
Constellation Cygnus
Designations Kronberger 61, Soccer Ball Nebula[1]

Kronberger 61, also known as the "soccer ball", is a Nebula discovered by an amateur astronomer in January, 2011, with the newer images having been taken by the Gemini Observatory.[2] The nebula is named for Austrian Mattias Kronberger, who is a member of the amateur group Deep Sky Hunters. The object is estimated to lie 13,000 light-years away. They discovered the nebula while searching near the northern constellation of Cygnus.[3] It is hoped that the discovery will help resolve a decades-old debate, regarding the role of stellar companions in the formation and structure of planetary nebulae.[4]

The nebula is within a relatively small area, which is currently being monitored by NASA’s Kepler planet finding mission and the light of the nebula is primarily due to the emissions from doubly ionized oxygen.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "NAME Soccer Ball Nebula". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  2. ↑ Mosher, Dave. "'Soccer Ball' Nebula Discovered by Amateur Astronomer". National Geographic.
  3. ↑ Moore, Kurt. "New Planetary Nebula Found By Amateur Astronomer". My Fox Houston.
  4. 1 2 Jacoby, George. "Gemini Observatory Image Release". Gemini Observatory.
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