Planetary Nebula Abell 51
History
This planetary nebula was discovered in 1955 by the American astronomer George Ogden Abell on the photo plates of the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS). In 1955 he published a first list of 13 globular clusters and the positions of 73 planetary nebulae. The PN was then listed as number 38 (A55 38). In 1966 Abell published a completed list including the size and description of the 86 planetary nebulae discovered on the POSS photo plates. The PN was then listed as nebula 51 (A66 51). [331, 332]
Physical Properties
| Designations | PN G017.6-10.2: A 51, PK 17-10.1, A55 38, ARO 300, VV' 471 |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 19h 01m 01s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | -18° 12' 15" |
| Dimensions | 67." (optical) |
| Radial Velocity | +23.0 ± 10.0 km/s |
| Expansion Velocity | 42.0 (O-III) km/s |
| C-Star Designations | AG82 337, CSI -18 -18581, UBV 16133 |
| C-Star Magnitude | U: 14.26, B: 15.30, V: 15.42 |
| C-Star Spectral Type | sd O8k, OH |
| Discoverer | ABELL 1955 |
Finder Chart
The planetary nebula Abell 51 is located in the constellation Sagittarius. It is in opposition to the Sun on 5 July and can be observed from Switzerland from May to September.
