description Soccer Ball Nebula Overview
The Soccer Ball Nebula, also catalogued as Kronberger 61, is a planetary nebula in the constellation Cygnus. It was identified by amateur astronomer Matthias Kronberger during a search for previously unrecognized planetary nebulae, and its nearly circular shell and internal pattern inspired its informal name. The object consists of ionized gas expelled by a dying star and became notable because it lies within the field observed by NASA's Kepler mission.
help Soccer Ball Nebula FAQ
Why is Kronberger 61 called the Soccer Ball Nebula?
It earned the nickname because its expanding shell of gas is unusually round and patterned, resembling a soccer ball. Most planetary nebulae are strongly asymmetric, so a nearly spherical example like this stands out.
Who discovered the Soccer Ball Nebula?
It was identified by Austrian amateur astronomer Matthias Kronberger, a member of the Deep Sky Hunters group that searches imagery for previously unrecognized planetary nebulae. His finds were confirmed and published with professional astronomers in a 2011 study.
Where is the Soccer Ball Nebula located?
It lies in the northern constellation Cygnus, the Swan. Its distance is still poorly constrained, with estimates running to many thousands of light-years.
What does the Soccer Ball Nebula look like through a telescope?
It appears as a faint, small, teal-tinted disk because oxygen emission dominates its light, which is typical of planetary nebulae of this type. It is dim enough that it became known mainly through deep images, and it has even been imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope rather than being a backyard telescope showpiece.
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