C90

NGC 2867 is a small, bright planetary nebula in Carina, about 7,300 light-years away. Its disk spans about 12 arcseconds and shines at magnitude 9.7, with a hot central star of the Wolf-Rayet type.

Appears stellar at low power. At 200x+ in a 6-inch telescope, it shows a tiny blue-green disk that can be distinguished from surrounding stars. An OIII filter helps confirm its nature. Best from southern locations in late winter and spring.

Discovered by John Herschel in the 1830s during his survey of the southern sky from South Africa. Its Wolf-Rayet central star makes it one of the more energetic planetary nebulae.