NGC5189

A fairly small nebula in the constellation of Musca with an apparent size of 90 by 62 arcseconds. Despite the data being captured using the 61cm scope in Chile, the resolution is not quite sufficient to show the intricate filamentary structure or the knots and dense blobs of gas known as Ansae which formed early on in its evolution. These can be seen more clearly in images taken using much larger instruments.

NGC5189 is often referred to as The Spiral Planetary due to its unusual S-shape profile which distinguishes it from other known planetary nebulae.

An early explanation for this shape was that the central Wolf-Rayet star had a companion. This was later confirmed in 2015 as being a white dwarf with a 4 day orbital period.

Information was taken from 'constellation-guide.com' which has a full description and several images which clearly show more of the intricate structure.