NGC7048
Hubble 9
PK 88.7-1.6

Cygnus

Planetary Nebula

RA 21h 14m 15.3s
DEC +46 17 15

Magnitude 12.1
Central Star Mag 19.1
Size 61.0”

Although NGC 7000 generally garners all the attention in this small area of sky in Cygnus, the nearby planetary nebula NGC 7048 definitely deserves a look just as much as the North American Nebula does.
Discovered on October 19th, 1878 by French astronomer Édouard Stephan in his 31.5” reflector, NGC 7048 is a 12th magnitude planetary just 3 degrees or so northeast of NGC7000 and 7 degrees east of Deneb. Moderately bright, NGC 7048 has been observed in scopes as small at 8” without any filter(203mm). With the aid of an OIII, Sue French makes an observation of this object in her 105mm! So the object is truly in reach of all manner of aperture.


In larger scopes, NGC 7048 sits in a beautifully rich starry field and tends to reveal an ever-so-slightly elongated appearance (north-south) and darker interior region. Its outer edge appears sharp and very defined while its southern rim sports an 11th magnitude star. Higher magnification reveals a smattering of superimposed stars within the object.


With Cygnus nicely placed overhead after sunset, be sure to give NGC 7048 a look. It makes a great target as anyone can spot this object with the help of filters and moderately dark skies. And let’s be real, NGC 7000 doesn’t deserve all of the attention!


And as always, give it a go and let us know!

noao-n7048robinson_erdman_block.jpg
noao robinson, erdman, block