E nebula
| E nebula | |
|---|---|
| |
| Observational Data | |
| Designation | Barnard 142/143 |
| Right ascension | 19h 39m 42s[1] |
| Declination | +10° 31′[1] |
| Constellation | Aquila |
| Type of object | Dark nebula |
| Dimensions | 40'[1] |
| Astrometry | |
| Distance from Earth | 2,000 ly[2] |
The E nebula (Barnard 142, Barnard 143) is a dark nebula in the constellation of Aquila.[2] The nebula can be found not far from the star Altair and is best observed during the summer months.[3] The E nebula is a combination of two nebulae that E. E. Barnard described, which he designated Barnard 142 and Barnard 143 in his catalogue. Barnard 143 has the appearance of a square with one side missing. This with the southern Barnard 142 produces a shape reminiscent of a capital E, giving the nebula its name.
Located 2,000 light years away, the nebula appears around half a degree across, similar to that of the Full moon.[2] This means it is approximately 0.01 ly wide. The nebula is a dark nebula, meaning it is visible because it obscures (blocks) the light of background stars.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Barnard 142 from the SIMBAD Astronomical Database
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The E Nebula in Aquila from apod.nasa.gov
- ↑ Barnard 143 (B143) - Dark Nebula in Aquila from cs.astronomy.com
