Planetary Nebula Of The Week - 4

NGC 3242

- GHOST OF JUPITER -

CONSTELLATION OF HYDRA

Planetary Nebula NGC 3242
The Ghost Of Jupiter
Hubble Space Telescope Image

Explanation: It's a weed, it's Jupiter, no it's - actually planetary nebula NGC 3242. After a star like our Sun completes fusion in its core, it throws off its outer layers in a striking display called a planetary nebula. NGC 3242 is such a planetary nebula, with the stellar remnant white dwarf star visible at the center. This nebula is sometimes called "The Ghost of Jupiter" for its similar appearance to the familiar planet. NGC 3242 is much further away however, than the measly 40 light-minutes distance to Jupiter. In fact, by comparing the apparent expansion rate with the actual rate determined from Doppler studies, astronomers have estimated the distance to NGC 3242 to be about 1400 light-years away. The red FLIERs visible near the edges of the nebula remain mysterious. (Courtesy of 'Astronomy Picture Of The Day', NASA)

Location Chart From 'MegaStar'

Basic Data & Characteristics of NGC 3242
Designations	Names	R.A.(J2000.0)	Dec.(J2000.0)	Con.	Size	Mag. (p)	Surface Brightness	Cent. Star Mg	PNe Type
PNG261.0+32.0 PK261+32 1 NGC 3242	Ghost Of Jupiter	10h 24m 46.11s	-18d 38m 32.6s	Hya	40 x 35 arc-seconds	8.6	5.43	12.31	4+3b

Additional Factinos:

Distance: Estimated to be 1,400 light years from our solar system.
Radial Velocity: 5 km/sec, moving away from our solar system.
Expansion Velocity: Approximately 23 km/sec.
Discovered by William Herschel in 1785
Uranometria 2000.0 Chart No. 324
Also sometimes referred to as the 'Eye Nebula'


SKY VIEW IMAGE (15.0' Field)	CCD Image By Michael Purcell Lake County Astronomical Society Field Approximately 9.5' Images Website

OBSERVATION NOTES

Steve Gottlieb:
N3242 = PK 261+32 1 = Eye Nebula = Ghost of Jupiter
10 24.8, -18 38
17.5": very bright, fairly small, bluish color, central star is visible.
Prominent double lens structure with a bright inner lens surrounded by a second fainter elliptical shell. Stunning at high power with a striking "eye" appearance with a darker center.
13": very bright, bright inner lens surrounded by a second fainter elliptical shell. At 350x there is a darker center to the inner lens and the central star is visible almost continuously.

Object: Planetary nebula NGC 3242 Constell: HYA

RA: 10h 24.8m Decl: -18° 38' Epoch: 2000
Mag: 7.7m (v) Size: 40''x35'' Type: 4(3b)

Observer: Jere Kahanpää
Obs. place: Hartola, Finland
Date/Time: 5./6.3.1992, 22.10

Telescope: N 205/1000
Magn: 133x              Filter:
Field: 22'              NE Lim.mag: 6.0m
Background sky: 2       Seeing: 2
Weather:

Brightness: 1 Alt:
Description: A quite small planetary. Almost round. Maybe some
ring structure. Bluish-white.

Link To Jere Kahanpaa's Web Site


NGC 3242 Image Taken With OIII Filter	NGC 3242 Image Taken With NII Filter

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02/14/ 98

Planetary Nebula Of The Week - 4

** NGC 3242 **

- GHOST OF JUPITER -

CONSTELLATION OF HYDRA

Location Chart From 'MegaStar'

NGC 3242