Abell 12 is a planetary nebula located in the constellation of Orion. Abell 12 is known as "the hidden planetary" because of the foreground star Mu Orionis making it difficult to observe and Abell 12 being at an apparent magnitude of about 14. The best way for it to be observed is through narrowband filters such as H-alpha and O-III. The nebula is 6,900 light years away from Earth, north of Betelgeuse. Other names for Abell 12 are PNG 198.6-06.3, PK 198-06.1 and ARO 220.[1] The northern outer red hydrogen shell has been ruptured allowing the interior oxygen to spill out.[2]

Planetary Nebula Abell 12 with DECam r-band filter. Mu Orionis is on the upper left and saturates large parts of the image.
Quick Facts Emission nebula, Observation data: J2000 epoch ...
Abell 12
Emission nebula
Planetary nebula
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension06h 02m 21.4s
Declination+09° 39 07
ConstellationOrion
Notable featuresObscured by a foreground star
DesignationsPNG 198.6-06.3

PK 198-06.1

ARO 120
See also: Lists of nebulae
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References

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