Kronberger 61 and Planetary Nebulae

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Kronberger 61, also known as the soccer-ball nebula, was discovered by amateur astronomer Matthias Kronberger in January 2011 while analyzing digitized sky survey photos. Located about 13,000 light-years away in the Cygnus constellation, it is notable for its almost perfectly round shape, which is rare among the 3,000 known planetary nebulae. The discovery prompted professional astronomers at the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii to create a detailed color-composite image of the nebula. The formation of planetary nebulae remains a significant topic of interest in astrophysics. This unique nebula contributes to ongoing discussions about the characteristics and origins of such celestial phenomena.
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http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/110726-soccer-ball-nebula-space-science-stars/
Amateur astronomer Matthias Kronberger discovered the soccer-ball nebula, called Kronberger 61, in January 2011 after poring over digitized photos of sky surveys from the 1980s. After he alerted professional astronomers, the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii zoomed in on the region to create the new, color-composite image.

Kronberger 61 lies roughly 13,000 light-years away in the Cygnus constellation and is almost perfectly round—an oddity when compared with the other 3,000 or so planetary nebulae already discovered.

. . . .
Apparently the formation of planetary nebulae is a hot topic in astrophysics.

See also - http://www.gemini.edu/node/11656
 
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:biggrin: That is cool.
 

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