DescriptionImages

Object name: M02001 104

Designation(s): M02001_104, KjPn 8,

MO2001 104 is the core of a double planetary nebula. Technically it is the emission line star at the core of the nebula which goes by many designations. The name used by the best paper on it is KjPn 8 and the paper is at http://www.crya.unam.mx/rmaa/RMxAC..12/PDF/RMxAC..12_lopez.pdf . Other names include PK 112-00 1, K 3-89, and PN G112.5-00.1. Coordinates are 23h 24m 10.472s +62d 57' 30.75".

The apparent central star is actually a planetary nebula which is surrounded by a far larger planetary nebula. It is located in Cassiopeia on the southeast edge of the nebulosity surrounding the far more famous Bubble Nebula, the edge of which is seen to the upper right. It is also 40 minutes straight south of M52.

The paper concludes it is the result of a double star whose stars are so similar in evolution they both became bipolar planetary nebula at almost the same instant in astronomical time. The tiny one at the center having been created very recently, if you consider less than 3400 years recent. The large double cone-shaped nebula is thought to be 10 to 20 thousand years old according to the above paper. A somewhat deeper image of the nebula is seen in the paper.

For once I used H alpha data to assemble the image, 90 minutes of it in fact in 30 minute subs. This was combined 80% in red, 10% green and 20% blue as well as 100% in the luminance channel. All blended using lighten mode for the nebula only. Stars are pure LRGB.

14" LX200R @ f/10, Ha=3x30' L=4x10' RGB=2x10', STL-11000XM, Paramount ME

Related Designation(s):

KjPn 8, M02001 104,