IC 418
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| IC 418 | |
 |
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| Observation data (Epoch J2000) |
|
|---|---|
| Right ascension | 05h 27m 28.2037s[1] |
| Declination | -12° 41′ 50.265″[1] |
| Distance | 2 kly (600 pc)[citation needed] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.6[1] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 30″[citation needed] |
| Constellation | Lepus |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | 0.15 |
| Absolute magnitude (V) | - |
| Notable features | - |
| Other designations | Spirograph Nebula[citation needed] |
| See also: Planetary nebula, Lists of nebulae | |
IC 418, also known as Spirograph Nebula, is a planetary nebula in the Milky Way Galaxy.
The name derives from the intricate pattern of the nebula, which resembles a pattern which can be created using the Spirograph, a toy which produces artistic patterns on paper.
Only a few million years ago, IC 418 was probably a common red giant star.[citation needed] Since running out of nuclear fuel, though, the outer envelope has begun expanding outward leaving a hot remnant core destined to become a white dwarf star.
IC 418 lies about 2000 light-years away and spans 0.3 light-years across.
