✨ NGC246 - The Skull Nebula ✨
Tue Aug 25 2026
NGC246 is in the constellation of Cetus and is a planetary nebula. It is about 1600 light years away from Earth and is about 6600 years old. For the gear nerds out there, this is the first image I’ve taken using my new mount, the SkyWatcher EQ6R Pro. I love it!
About this object
- Type
- Planetary Nebula
- Constellation
- Cet
- Apparent magnitude
- 10.9
- Apparent size
- 4.1′
- Catalogue designations
- NGC 246
The Skull Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation Cet. It shines at about magnitude 10.9 and spans roughly 4.1′ on the sky.
Acquisition
- Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 36 mm: 25 × 3m (1h 15m)
- Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm: 12 × 3m (36m)
- Total integration: 1h 51m
Equipment
- Telescope / Lens: Celestron C8
- Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
- Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6
- Filters: Antlia 3nm Narrowband H-alpha 36 mm, Antlia 3nm Narrowband Oxygen III 36 mm
- Guiding scope: SVBony SV106 60mm Guide Scope
- Guiding camera: ZWO ASI174MM Mini
- Accessories: Celestron 0.63X SCT Reducer (94175), ZWO EFW 7 x 36mm
- Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight
Astrophotography by David Joyce, AstroDavido.