C59 / NGC 3242 The Ghost of Jupiter Nebula - telescope processed image. It’s a planetary nebula created when a dying Sun-like star shed its outer layers, leaving behind a white dwarf at its center.

C59 / NGC 3242 The Ghost of Jupiter Nebula - unprocessed image. It earned its nickname because its apparent size and blue-green hue through a telescope closely resemble the planet Jupiter.

Good Saturday morning. Forgot to share the last image from Friday’s observations. Here is #C59 / #NGC3242 #TheGhostofJupiterNebula. Using the Moon and Sky Light Filter on this one too. #seestar #S50 #space #astronomy #amateur

Stunning image of the planetary nebula NGC 3242, also known as the "Ghost of Jupiter" due to its resemblance to the planet. This nebula, located 1400 light-years away, is the remnant of a star similar to our Sun, showcasing its outer layers cast off during its final stages of life. The central bright point is the white dwarf star, and the mysterious red FLIERs near the edges are still under investigation.

Astronomy Picture from 31/03/1997

NGC 3242: The 'Ghost of Jupiter' Planetary Nebula

Credit:

Source: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap970331.html


#PlanetaryNebula #NGC3242 #GhostOfJupiter #Space #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Nebula #DeepSpace #Cosmology #StellarEvolution #WhiteDwarf #FLIERs