Ghost of Jupiter Nebula NGC 3242

NGC 3242, the "Ghost of Jupiter" nebula, is a very small but rather bright planetary nebula. Its apparent size is in a telescope is equivalent to Jupiter. It is visible from light-polluted areas. High magnification and steady skies are needed to see the details of the "eye" (it has also been called the "Eye Nebula"). The lower image was the first deep-sky image I ever attempted by CCD.

For more on planetary nebula, see Dumbbell Nebula M27.

Ghost of Jupiter Nebula NGC 3242

Object Details:

Type:  Planetary Nebula
Constellation:  Hydra
Distance:  2500 light-years (?)
Size: 0.5 light-years (?)

Upper Image Details:

Date: Mar. 24, 2012
Site: Harahan, LA
Exposure: CCD, 19 x 4 min.
Filters:  IDAS LPS-V4 48mm
Processing: MSB Astroart 3.0
Telescope:  8" Celestron EdgeHD
Reducer:  None (f/10)
Image CCD: SX SXV-H9C
Guide CCD: SX MX7C
Guide Scope: Vixen ED80Sf

Lower Image Details:

Date: Jan. 4, 2003
Site: Harahan, LA
Exposure: CCD, 3 x 60 sec.
Filters: None
Processing: MSB Astroart 3.0
Telescope: 10" Meade LX200
Reducer: Meade f/6.3
CCD: Starlight Express MX7C
Autoguider: S.T.A.R. 2000