Galactic Nebula Kohoutek 2-1
History
The supposed planetary nebula K 2-1 was discovered in 1962 by the Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek on the photo plates of the «Palomar Observatory Sky Survey» (POSS). He wrote: «On the red print, light nebula with a non-uniform density and blunt edges and the dimensions 2x2 arcminutes. Near the center is a blue star. The nebula is less bright on the blue print.» [436] Originally, the nebula was considered to be a planetary nebula, which is why Luboš Perek and Luboš Kohoutek included the designation PK 173-5.1 in the «Catalog of Galactic Planetary Nebulae» (CGPN) published in 1967. In 1987 the misclassification was recognized and the nebula identified with LBN 809 (Lynds Bright Nebula). [437] In the 2000 edition, the nebula is also listed as misclassified and identified as an H-II region. [146]
Physical Properties
On Simbad the nebula is listed as a reflection nebula. The distance is given as 1071 parsecs (approx. 3500 light years). [145]
| Designations | PN G173.7-05.8: K 2- 1, PK 173-05.1, ARO 175 |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 05h 07m 09s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | +30° 50' 03" |
| Dimensions | 132." (optical) |
| Radial Velocity | +19.2 ± 4.5 km/s |
| C-Star Designations | AG82 41 |
| C-Star Magnitude | B: 18.8 |
| Discoverer | KOHOUTEK 1963 |
Finder Chart
The nebula Kohoutek 2-1 is located in the constellation Auriga between the stars Elnath (β Tauri) and Al Kab (ι Aurigae). The best time to observe is August to April, when it is highest at night.
