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NGC 6210 (Turtle Nebula)

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description NGC 6210 (Turtle Nebula) Overview

NGC 6210, commonly called the Turtle Nebula, is a compact planetary nebula in the constellation Hercules. It consists of gas expelled by a dying star, whose hot remnant ionizes the surrounding material and makes it glow, with prominent blue-green emission from oxygen. Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve discovered it in 1825, and detailed images reveal an irregular inner shell surrounded by fainter extensions.

help NGC 6210 (Turtle Nebula) FAQ

Why is NGC 6210 called the Turtle Nebula?

NGC 6210 is called the Turtle Nebula because its compact shell and surrounding structures can suggest the shape of a turtle. It is a planetary nebula in Hercules.

What causes the blue-green glow of NGC 6210?

A hot stellar remnant at the center ionizes the expelled gas. Oxygen emission contributes strongly to the nebula’s blue-green appearance.

Who discovered NGC 6210?

Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve discovered NGC 6210 in the nineteenth century. The object is now known as a compact planetary nebula in Hercules.

Is NGC 6210 a planet?

No. Despite the term planetary nebula, NGC 6210 is gas expelled by a dying star. The name is historical and comes from the rounded appearance of some early observations.

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