R Aquari is a very active binary star system. Material is being deposited from a red giant onto its partner – a white dwarf star. Periodically the object will go nova which radically brightens it. Korean records show a new star in the sky recording a nova event back in 1073. The current red shell of material shown in this image was apparently created with a nova in the 1770’s.

PlaneWave 12.5″ Astrograph with an ST11000 camera, Astrodon filters, and ASA gearless DDM-85 mount. F/8 LRGB (45/8min L. 8/8min each 2×2 RGB).