The VLT images a "rectangular" planetary nebula

IC 4406 is a planetary nebula with an unusual, almost "rectangular" shape. It is located in the southern constellation Lupus (the Wolf). The distance is somewhat uncertain, possibly around 5,000 light-years. Like the Butterfly Nebula (cf. VLT UT1 First Light Photo No. 4), IC 4406 belongs to the class of bipolar nebulae. However, the dark and dusty central band (the "disc-like structure") is less pronounced in this object and the internal structure is more uniform. The different colours correspond to regions of different composition and physical properties.

This is a combination of two 5-min B (blue) exposures (seeing 0.95 arcsec), two 5-min V (green-yellow) exposures (0.90 arcsec), and one 5-min and two 2-min R (red) exposures (0.70 to 0.90 arcsec) with the VLT Test Camera. Individual frames were flat-fielded and cleaned for cosmics before colour combination; there was no further image processing. The field measures 1.5 x 1.5 arcmin. North is to the upper right; East is to the upper left.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso9827a
Type:Observation
Release date:23 June 1998
Related releases:eso9827
Size:2340 x 2557 px

About the Object

Name:IC 4406
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Planetary
Distance:5000 light years
Constellation:Lupus
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Large JPEG
446.2 KB
Screensize JPEG
63.9 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
75.3 KB
1280x1024
119.5 KB
1600x1200
172.8 KB
1920x1200
206.7 KB
2048x1536
271.7 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):14 22 26.29
Position (Dec):-44° 9' 5.34"
Field of view:1.43 x 1.51 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 44.8° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Optical
B
Very Large Telescope
Optical
V
Very Large Telescope
Optical
R
Very Large Telescope