The Crystal Ball Nebula - NGC 1514
Taken by Tom Wildoner on October 26, 2025 @
Weatherly, PA, USA
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Camera Used: Unavailable Unavailable
Exposure Time: Unavailable
Aperture: Unavailable
ISO: Unavailable
Date Taken: 2025:12:21 12:00:45
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Details:
NGC 1514 is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Taurus, about 1,500 light-years from Earth. Often called the Crystal Ball Nebula, it consists of a glowing shell of gas that was expelled by a dying star similar in mass to the Sun. At its center is an unusual binary star system, whose interaction is believed to play a key role in shaping the nebula’s structure. Unlike many planetary nebulae, NGC 1514 has a relatively smooth and diffuse appearance rather than sharply defined edges, making it a subtle but intriguing object for astronomers. It provides valuable insight into how binary stars influence the final stages of stellar evolution.
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension: 04h 09m 16.98559s
Declination: +30° 46′ 33.4709″
Distance: 1520 ly
Apparent magnitude (V): 9.27
Apparent dimensions (V): 2.2′
Constellation Taurus
Tech Specs: Meade 12” LX-90 SCT Telescope, Antares Focal Reducer, ZWO ASI2600MC camera running at -10F, 145 x 60 seconds, Celestron CGX-L pier mounted, ZWO EAF and ASIAir Pro, processed in DSS and PixInsight. Image Date: October 26, 2025. Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA, USA (Bortle Class 4).
Photographer's website:
https://www.thedarksideobservatory.com
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