Kronberger 61

{{Short description|Nebula in the constellation Cygnus}}

{{Planetary nebula

| image = K61 - Gemini1108a.jpg

| caption = Image of the Kronberger 61 nebula taken by the Gemini Observatory

| name = Kronberger 61

| type = Planetary

| epoch = J2000

| ra = {{RA|19|21|38.936}}{{cite simbad

| title=NAME Soccer Ball Nebula

| access-date=30 August 2015}}

| dec = {{DEC|+38|18|57.2420}}

| constellation = Cygnus

| radius_ly =

| absmag_v =

| notes =

| names = Kronberger 61, Soccer Ball Nebula

| dist_ly =

| appmag_v =

| size_v = 1' 30"

}}

Kronberger 61, also known as the "soccer ball", is a planetary nebula discovered by an amateur astronomer in January, 2011, with the newer images having been taken by the Gemini Observatory.{{cite web|last=Mosher|first=Dave|title='Soccer Ball' Nebula Discovered by Amateur Astronomer|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/110726-soccer-ball-nebula-space-science-stars/?source=link_fb20110727soccerballnebula|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020104807/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/07/110726-soccer-ball-nebula-space-science-stars/?source=link_fb20110727soccerballnebula|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2012|publisher=National Geographic}} The nebula is named for Austrian Matthias Kronberger,{{Cite web |title=Österreichischer Hobby-Astronom entdeckt prachtvollen Planetarischen Nebel |url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/1310512292723/kronberger-61-oesterreichischer-hobby-astronom-entdeckt-prachtvollen-planetarischen-nebel |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=DER STANDARD |language=de-AT}} who is a member of the amateur group Deep Sky Hunters. The object is estimated to lie 13,000 light-years away. They discovered the nebula while searching near the northern constellation of Cygnus.{{cite web|last=Moore|first=Kurt|title=New Planetary Nebula Found By Amateur Astronomer|url=http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpps/dpg_original/new-planetary-nebula-found-by-amateur-astronomer-dpgoh-20110728-ch_14326206|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120405001742/http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpps/dpg_original/new-planetary-nebula-found-by-amateur-astronomer-dpgoh-20110728-ch_14326206|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2012|date=July 28, 2011|publisher=KRIV (TV)}} It is hoped that the discovery will help resolve a decades-old debate, regarding the role of stellar companions in the formation and structure of planetary nebulae.{{cite web|last=Jacoby|first=George|title=Gemini Observatory Image Release|date=8 August 2011 |url=http://www.gemini.edu/node/11656|publisher=Gemini Observatory}}

The nebula is within a relatively small area, which is currently being monitored by NASA's Kepler planet finding mission and the light of the nebula is primarily due to the emissions from doubly ionized oxygen.