NGC 40

Alt. Designations: NGC 40
Object Type: planetary nebula
Constellation: Cepheus
Distance: 3.5 kly
Right Ascension: 00h 13m 01.0s
Declination: +72° 31´ 21"
Visual Magnitude: 12.3
Apparent Dimension: 1.23´ Dia.
Best Month To View: Aug

NGC 40 is a planetary nebula located 3,500 light-years away in the constellation of Cepheus, and is composed of hot gas around a dying star. The star has ejected its outer layer which has left behind a smaller, hot star with a temperature on the surface of about 50,000 degrees Celsius, and is about one light-year across.