IC 418
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Planetary nebula | Lists of nebulae |
---|---|
Observation data (Epoch J2000) |
|
Right ascension | 05h 27m 28.2037s[1] |
Declination | -12° 41′ 50.265″[1] |
Distance | 2 kly (600 pc)[citation needed] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.6[1] |
Apparent dimensions (V) | 30″[citation needed] |
Constellation | Lepus |
Physical characteristics | |
Radius | 0.15 |
Absolute magnitude (V) | - |
Notable features | - |
Other designations | Spirograph Nebula[citation needed] |
IC 418 also known as Spirograph Nebula, is a planetary nebula in the Milky Way Galaxy.
The name derives from the intricate pattern of the nebula, which resembles a pattern which can be created using the Spirograph, an toy which produces artistic patterns on paper.
Only a few million years ago, IC 418 was probably a common red giant star.[citation needed] Since running out of nuclear fuel, though, the outer envelope has begun expanding outward leaving a hot remnant core destined to become a white dwarf star.
IC 418 lies about 2000 light-years away and spans 0.3 light-years across.