Jones-Emberson 1 - Headphone Nebula
Jones-Emberson 1 (PK 164+31.1), also known as the Headphone Nebula, is a planetary nebula in the constellation Lynx that lies roughly 1600 light-years from earth. It is approximately 13,000 years old and has a very blue white dwarf star at its center. White dwarfs are thought to be the final evolutionary state of stars whose mass is not high enough to become a neutron star or black hole. A white dwarf gradually cools as it radiates its energy. This higher temperature radiation initially shows a color closer to blue and eventually lessens and reddens over time until it cools enough that it becomes a cold black dwarf.
January 27, 2025
Another new target for me, Jones-Emberson 1, the aptly named “Headphone Nebula.” As the subframes rolled in on this one, I was a bit worried I’d end up with a poor result, as my star shape wasn’t great; things seemed a bit oblong. Collimation might have been a little off (as I still am not the best at it), but I’m guessing this must have been some differential flexure sneaking back up on me again, so I will be trying out an OAG soon. Nonetheless, I let the sequence run over night and I was quite pleased with the result after stacking. I’ve come to appreciate Planetary Nebula, as reading about them has led me to learn much more about the life cycle of stars. A life cycle which can sometimes result in these fascinatingly unique objects in the night sky.
Technical Details
Imaging Telescope: Orion Optics UK Ideal 8
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro
Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
Filter: Antlia Tri-band RGB Ultra Filter - 2” Mounted
Accessories: ZWO ASIAIR Plus, ZWO EAF, ZWO Filter Drawer (Gen 2)
Software: PixInsight, BlurXterminator, GraXpert, SetiAstro Automatic DBE, SetiAstro Statistical Stretch
Guiding Telescope: SVBony SV106 60mm Guide Scope
Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI174MM
Imaging Dates: January 26, 2025
Frames (gain 101.0) f/4.9 -10c: 200x180” (4h)
Integration Time: 10h
Darks/Flats/Dark Flats: 30/30/30
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 6.00