The "Southern Crab" Nebula (He2-104)

The "Southern Crab" Nebula (He2-104). This CCD image of the proto-planetary symbiotic star He2-104, also known as the "Southern Crab", was obtained with the 2.2 metre telescope at La Silla by Hugo Schwarz and collaborators; the exposure time was 30 min. It shows the unusual object in the light of nitrogen ions ([N II] Å). The visual magnitude of the central part is 14.6. The astrophysical interpretation of this image is described in ESO Press Release eso8901 of January 30, 1989.

North is up and East is to the right. The field shown on this photo measures arcseconds square (1 cm = 4.7 arcsec). (ESO Press Release eso8801; BW and Colour)