NGC7293 The Helix Nebula

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The Helix Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation Aquarius. The Helix Nebula is also known as NGC 7293 and it�s sometimes called the Sunflower Nebula. This planetary nebula is our nearest neighbour and is about 450, l.y. away, and the largest in apperant size, nearly 1/4�. It�s also the brightest of all planetaries. It is ionized by a very hot 13th-magnitude central star of temperature 50.000 k. I have never seen it because I live in the northern hemesphere. But I�ve been told that it�s visible in binoculars as a faint patch. But you�ll need telescope to show it clearly because it lies so near v (Upsilon). 

            M Number  NGC   Const   Mag     RA       dec       Type
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             M8      7293 Aquarius  6.5  22h 29.6m  -20� 48�  Planetary
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