A Bipolar Planetary Nebula

NGC 3699

NGC 3699, A Bipolar Planetary Nebula
Sketch by Eiji Kato, text by Frank McCabe

Sky catalogue 2000.0 incorrectly lists this planetary nebula as an emission nebula. It is located in eastern Centaurus and glows visually at about 11th magnitude. Like M-76 in the northern sky this southern sky planetary is also a bipolar planetary. The central star was very massive and is now extremely hot. A central dark rift divides this planetary as can be seen in the sketch. An interesting description of this planetary can be found here.
This object was discovered by John Herschel April 1, 1834.

Coordinates: R.A. 11hrs 27min 58sec
Dec. -59° 57′ 28″

Drawings made using a home-built 47cm f/4 Dobsonian reflector.

3 thoughts on “A Bipolar Planetary Nebula”

  1. That is a treasure I would like to catch up with, alas not from 52 deg North!

    Thanks for sharing Eiji & Frank 🙂

    Best wishes, Dale

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