Little Ghost Nebula
| Little Ghost Nebula | |
|---|---|
| 300px | |
| Observation data (Epoch J2000) |
|
| Right ascension | 17h 29m 20.443s[1] |
| Declination | −23° 45′ 34.22″[1] |
| Distance | 2.0 - 5.0 kly |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 12.9[1] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 28 arc sec[1] |
| Constellation | Ophiuchus |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Other designations | NGC 6369,[1] PK 002+05 1[1] |
Little Ghost Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation Ophiuchus. It was discovered by William Herschel.[2]
Round and planet-shaped, the nebula is also relatively faint. Planetary nebulae are not related to planets at all, but instead are created at the end of a sun-like star's life as its outer layers expand into space while the star's core shrinks to become a white dwarf. The transformed white dwarf star, seen near the center, radiates strongly at ultraviolet wavelengths and powers the expanding nebula's glow. The nebula's main ring structure is about a light-year across and the glow from ionized oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen atoms are colored blue, green, and red respectively.
The Little Ghost Nebula should not be confused with the Ghost Nebula (Sh2-136) or the Ghost Head Nebula (NGC 2080).
References
Coordinates: 
17h 29m 20.44s, −23° 45′ 34.22″
External links
- Little Ghost Nebula data sheet, altitude charts, sky map and related objects - Deep Sky Objects Browser
- Little Ghost Nebula amateur astrophotography - Deep Sky Objects Browser
