Comet and Planetary Nebula

Comet C/2013 X1 PANSTARRS passing the Helix Nebula on 4 June 2016

Image copyright: Kos Coronaios

Comet C/2013 X1 was discovered in 2013 by the Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System (Pan-Starrs), a widefield imaging facility specifically designed to scan the night sky for asteroids and comets.

The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) is a planetary nebula in the constellation of Aquarius.  Like all planetary nebulae, it is composed of the ejected outer layers of an aging star, fluorescing from the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the intensely hot inner parts of the star.

04/06/2016, 01:57 UT
Louis Trichardt, South Africa
Canon 60D
200mm EF lens at f/2.8
43 x 30 sec light frames
ISO1600