Abell 43 is an extremely faint planetary nebula. The nebula is a sphere of gas with an intricate lace-like network of tendrils. It is difficult to detect at all, and a challenge to image, even under dark skies. It is listed as having a magnitude of 14.7, but the light is spread out into ghostly wisps. This image was taken from my backyard with significant light pollution, and only hints at the structural details of the nebula.
This is an RGB composite CCD image taken with an SBIG ST-8XE CCD on a Takahashi Mewlon 210 telescope at f11.5. Exposures were taken over seven nights and digitally summed together.
Abell 43 (PLN 36+17.1)
Constellation: Ophiuchus
RA: 17h 53m 50s Dec: +10d 37' 21"
June 4-11, 2005
Image by Sid Leach
Scottsdale, Arizona
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