* Astronomy

NGC 6886 (also PK 60-7.2) is a magnitude +11.4 planetary nebula located 7,000 light-years away in the constellation Sagitta.

The planetary nebula was discovered by English astronomer Ralph Copeland using a 15-inch Grubb refractor at the Dun Echt observatory, Scotland (or from Arequipa?, Andes) on the 17th September 1884.

Right Ascension 20h 12m 42.8s, Declination +19° 59' 24"

Studies of NGC 6886 reveal that the make up the star was similar to our own Sun. Although more abundant in heavy elements such as sulphur, it has similar amounts of carbon, nitrogen and neon, as our own Sun.

Astronomers have used the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to image the tiny planetary nebula NGC 6886. These celestial objects signal the final death throes of mid-sized stars (up to about eight times the mass of the Sun); when such a star exhausts its supply of hydrogen fuel, the outer layers begin to expand and cool, which creates an envelope of gas and dust that shrouds the dying star. 
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