Planetary Nebula Abell 2
History
The planetary nebula Abell 2 (PK 122-04.1) was discovered in 1955 by the American astronomer George Ogden Abell on the photo plates of the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS). [331, 332]
Physical Properties
Most of these 86 PNs discovered by Abell on the POSS photo plates are large and have a low surface brightness, which suggests that their stage of development is advanced. The PN is approximately 3.9 kpc away [145]
| Designations | PN G122.1-04.9: A 2, PK 122-04.1, A55 2, ARO 202, VV' 6 |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 00h 45m 36s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | +57° 57' 24" |
| Dimensions | 36." (optical) |
| Radial Velocity | -41.8 ± 3.1 km/s |
| Expansion Velocity | 34. (O-III) km/s |
| C-Star Designations | AG82 7 |
| C-Star Magnitude | B: 20.07 |
| Discoverer | ABELL 1955 |
Finder Chart
The planetary nebula Abell 2 is located in the constellation Cassiopeia, about 1 ° west of the 3.4 mag bright star Achird (η Cassiopeiae). On 6 October it is in opposition to the Sun and crosses the meridian at local midnight. The best observation time is January to December.
