LoTr 5 (PNG 339.9+88.4) is a planetary nebula located at a high galactic latitude in the constellation Coma Berenices, positioned far above the plane of the Milky Way. Estimated to lie at a distance of roughly 1,500–2,000 light-years, it represents an evolved stellar system in which a central star has shed its outer layers, forming an expanding shell of ionized gas. The nebula is notable for its relatively symmetrical, circular morphology and the presence of a bright central star, which is part of a binary system thought to influence the nebula’s structure.
The emission from LoTr 5 is dominated by ionized oxygen, producing a strong OIII signal that defines the nebular shell, while H-alpha contributes more subtle structure within the interior and along the edges. The smooth, low surface brightness profile and lack of sharply defined filaments distinguish it from younger or more dynamically complex planetary nebulae. Its location well above the galactic plane results in a relatively sparse foreground field, providing a clean observational window into the nebula’s structure.
This image was created using narrowband H-alpha and OIII data mapped to an HOO palette, along with broadband RGB stars acquired from Arnold, CA. The data were collected between March 9 and May 1, 2024, with a total integration time of 35.8 hours . The processing emphasizes the oxygen-dominated shell while preserving subtle hydrogen structure and natural star color, allowing the planetary nebula to be clearly distinguished against the surrounding stellar background.