NGC 1360
Planetary nebula in the constellation Fornax
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NGC 1360, also known as the Robin's Egg Nebula,[4] is a planetary nebula in the constellation of Fornax. It was identified as a planetary nebula due to its strong radiation in the OIII (oxygen) bands. Reddish matter, believed to have been ejected from the original star before its final collapse, is visible in images.[5] It is slightly fainter than IC 2003.
| Emission nebula | |
|---|---|
| Planetary nebula | |
NGC 1360 as taken by the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter | |
| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 03h 33m 14.646s[1] |
| Declination | −25° 52′ 18.214″[1] |
| Distance | 1,145 ly (351 pc)[1] 1,794 ly (550 pc)[2] ly |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.4[3] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 11.0 × 7.5 arcmin[3] |
| Constellation | Fornax |
| Notable features | 11.4v magnitude central star[3] |
| Designations | PK220-53.1, ESO 482-PN007, AM 0331-260, GC 5315, PN G220.3-53.9, CD-26 1339 |
The central star of the system was suspected to be binary since 1977, but was only confirmed in 2017. The central source consists of a low-mass O-type star and a white dwarf, with masses of 0.555 M☉ and 0.679 M☉ respectively.[6]
NGC 1360 was discovered in January 1868 by the German astronomer Friedrich August Theodor Winnecke.[7]
