Copyright: Nico Gärtner
Date image was taken: November 25, 2025
Location: Rooisand, Namibia
Data Acquisition Method: Personal Telescope Setup
Description and Details: This image shows Abell 7 from the “Abell Catalog of Planetary Nebulae” of George O. Abell who discovered this object in 1955 on the photo plates of the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey.
Abell 7 is a large, old and also faint planetary nebula in ~1800 lightyears distance with a spherical, planetary like shape, that is located in constellation Lepus south of Orion.
The object is very dim and defining its magnitude seems to be difficult as ranges spread from 12.5 to 16 - it’s definitely not an easy target!
The nebula is aproximately 20.000 years old, and the ancient central white dwarf star, that is approximately 10 billion years old, is clearly visible in the center
Combined Exposure Time in Bortle 1 Skies: 22h 30m
Name: Nico Gärtner
Website or Facebook Profile: http://www.sternwarte-meckesheim.de
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