NGC 1360, also known as the Robin's Egg Nebula, is a planetary nebula in the constellation of Fornax. Reddish matter, believed to have been ejected from the original star before its final collapse, is visible in images of this target. This pretty cosmic cloud lies some 1,500 light-years from Earth, it shape and colour reminiscent of a blue Robin's egg. It spans about 3 light-years, recognized as a planetary nebula, NGC 1360 doesn't represent a beginning though. Instead, it corresponds to a brief and final phase in the evolution of an ageing star. In fact, visible in the telescopic image the central star of NGC 1360 is known to be a binary star system likely consisting of two evolved white dwarf stars, less massive but much hotter than the Sun. Their intense and otherwise invisible ultraviolet radiation has stripped away electrons from the atoms in the surrounding gaseous shroud. The predominant blue-green hue of NGC 1360 seen here is the strong emission produced as electrons recombine with doubly ionized oxygen atom
Magnitude: 9.4
Apparent magnitude (V): 9.4
Constellation: Fornax
This is one I've wanted to do for sometime a total of 8.5 hrs over (6 min subs) three nights in Nov 2024- processed in SIRIL and PS - scope 10" GSO RC camera QHY268c
