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Planetary Nebulae

SH 2-274 (Medusa Nebula)

SH 2-274
SH 2-274

A Planetary Nebula in constellation Gemini about 1500 light years from earth. At first it was thought to be a Supernova remnant, but more recent measurements of the expansion velocity suggest it to be more likely a Planetary Nebula. These are the outer shells of a sun-like star which have been expelled at the end of the active live of the star.

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Emission Nebulae

NGC 2246 (Rosetta Nebula)

NGC 2246
NGC 2246

NCG 2246 (Caldwell 439) is a star forming region in Monoceros about 5000 light years distant. The young star cluster NGC 2244 (Caldwell 50) in the center of this region has been formed from material of this cloud and is pushing the remaining material towards the outside. The nebula will disappear in some million years while still creating new stars …

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Dark Nebulae

Barnard 33 (Horsehead Nebula)

Barnard 33 (Horsehead Nebula)
Barnard 33 (Horsehead Nebula)

Dark Cloud in Orion in front of read emission nebula IC 434. Left to bright star Alnitak the so called Flame Nebula or NGC 2024.

This image shows originally very bright halos around bright stars caused by the IDAS NBX filter, which was very bad to this respect. Meanwhile IDAS has released NBZ as a better replacement … and it is really better.

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