Map of the Universe

Eskimo Nebula

Planetary nebula · Planetary nebula in the constellation Gemini

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Eskimo Nebula
Picture: European Space Agency, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

About the Eskimo Nebula

The Eskimo Nebula is about 6,523 light-years from the Sun, so the light we see from it left about 6,523 years ago.

It is 33,037 light-years from the centre of the Milky Way.

The map lists it as a planetary nebula and shows it among the stars around the Sun, drawn on the plane of the Milky Way.

Key numbers

Distance6,523 light-years (2,000 pc)
Distance from the Galactic centre33,037 light-years
Galactic coordinatesl = 197.90°, b = +17.40°
Sizeabout 0.7 light-years across

Where it is

Its place in the universe, from the inside out: Perseus Arm › Milky Way › Local Group › Virgo Supercluster › Laniakea Supercluster › Observable universe.

Zoom out to see it in context: Local Arm, a view about 12,000 light-years across.

From Wikipedia

The Eskimo Nebula is a bipolar, double-shell planetary nebula (PN) in the northern constellation of Gemini. Alternatively, it is known as NGC 2392, Clown Face Nebula, Lion Nebula, or Caldwell 39. This feature was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel in 1787.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Eskimo Nebula, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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