The astrophotography of UAA astronomy professor Dr. Travis Rector has again made national news

Three amateur astronomers in California found the beautiful planetary nebula a year ago, and have been officially recognized as its discoverers. However, it is a photo taken by UAA professor Dr. Travis Rector that is accompanying the national news stories.

Officially named PN G75.5+1.7, the "soap bubble nebula" is the remnant of a dying star that shed its outer shell about 22,000 years ago. It lies about 4,000 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.

First discovered by amateur astronomer Dave Jurasevich on July 6, 2008, the "soap bubble nebula" was then noted and reported by Keith Quattrocchi and Mel Helm on July 17, 2008. It is embedded in a diffuse nebula which, in conjunction with its faintness, is the reason it was not discovered until recently.

Dr. Rector and Heidi Schweiker had a little extra time one mid-July evening in the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Kitt Peak, Arizona, and were able to capture this fantastic image on a KPNO 4-Meter telescope.

The photograph has been used in stories on FOXNews.com, Universe Today and NewScientist.com, among others.

For more information about this magnificent image and many others by Dr. Rector, visit his Astrophysics & Astrophotography Web site.