Quick Facts: Spitzer Puts a New Spin on the Helix Nebula

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About the Object Object Name: Helix Nebula, NGC 7293
Object Type: Planetary Nebula
Position (J2000): RA: 22h 29m 38.55s Dec: -20Ą 49' 26.0"
Distance: 650 light-years (200 parsecs)
Constellation: Aquarius

About the Data Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ J. Hora (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)
Instrument: IRAC
Wavelength: 3.6 microns (blue), 4.5 microns (green), 8.0 microns (red)
Exposure Date: October 30, 2004
Exposure Time: 160 s per position
Field of View: 19.8 x 23.1 arcminutes
Orientation: north is 60.9 deg CW from up
Release Date: January 9, 2006

Observers J. L. Hora (CfA)
W. B. Latter (NASA/ Herschel Science Center)
M. Marengo (CfA)
G.G. Fazio (CfA)
H.A. Smith (CfA)

The Spitzer Space Telescope is a NASA mission managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This website is maintained by the Spitzer Science Center, located on the campus of the California Institute of Technology and part of NASA's Infrared Processing and Analysis Center.