Kronberger 61 Explained

Kronberger 61, also known as the "soccer ball", is a planetary nebula discovered by an amateur astronomer in January, 2011, with the newer images having been taken by the Gemini Observatory.^[1] The nebula is named for Austrian Mattias Kronberger,^[2] who is a member of the amateur group Deep Sky Hunters. The object is estimated to lie 13,000 light-years away. They discovered the nebula while searching near the northern constellation of Cygnus.^[3] It is hoped that the discovery will help resolve a decades-old debate, regarding the role of stellar companions in the formation and structure of planetary nebulae.^[4]

The nebula is within a relatively small area, which is currently being monitored by NASA's Kepler planet finding mission and the light of the nebula is primarily due to the emissions from doubly ionized oxygen.^[4]

See also

• IRAS 19475+3119, protoplanetary nebula of Cygnus
• List of largest nebulae

Notes and References

1. Web site: Mosher. Dave. 'Soccer Ball' Nebula Discovered by Amateur Astronomer. https://web.archive.org/web/20121020104807/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/110726-soccer-ball-nebula-space-science-stars/?source=link_fb20110727soccerballnebula. dead. October 20, 2012. National Geographic.
2. Web site: Österreichischer Hobby-Astronom entdeckt prachtvollen Planetarischen Nebel . 2023-06-14 . DER STANDARD . de-AT.
3. Web site: Moore. Kurt. New Planetary Nebula Found By Amateur Astronomer. https://archive.today/20120405001742/http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpps/dpg_original/new-planetary-nebula-found-by-amateur-astronomer-dpgoh-20110728-ch_14326206. dead. April 5, 2012. July 28, 2011. KRIV (TV).
4. Web site: Jacoby. George. Gemini Observatory Image Release. 8 August 2011 . Gemini Observatory.