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[Petergoodhew]

NGC 2346 is a bipolar planetary nebula in the constellation of Monoceros. It is informally known as the Butterfly Nebula. It has an unusually cool central star, which is a spectroscopic binary.
The central star is a binary star system consisting of an A-type subgiant and a subdwarf O star. The system, which has an orbital period of 16 days is also variable, probably due to dust in orbit around it. The dust itself is heated by the central star and so NGC 2346 is unusually bright in the infrared part of the spectrum. When one of the two stars evolved into a red giant, it engulfed its companion, which stripped away a ring of material from the larger star's atmosphere. When the red giant's core was exposed, a fast stellar wind inflated two ‘bubbles’ from either side of the ring.
Captured on my remote observatory in Spain.
Scopes: APM TMB LZOS 152 Refractors
Cameras: QSI6120wsg8
Mounts: 10Micron GM2000 HPS
A total of 25 hours 55 minutes (HaOIIIRGB)
More information at https://www.imagingd...m/ngc-2346.html

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