Thor’s Helmet versus the Seagull

Seen as a seagull and a duck, these nebulae aren’t the handiest cosmic clouds to evoke photography of flight. But each are winging their methodology across this mountainous celestial landscape, spanning almost 7 levels across planet Earth’s night time sky in opposition to the constellation of the Giant Dogs (Canis Major). The mammoth Seagull (prime middle) is itself easy of two major cataloged emission nebulas. Brighter NGC 2327 kinds the top with the extra diffuse IC 2177 as the wings and body. Impressively, the Seagull’s wingspan would correspond to about 250 gentle-years at the nebula’s estimated distance of three,800 gentle-years. On the decrease unbiased correct, the Duck appears grand extra compact and would span handiest about 50 gentle-years given its 15,000 gentle-year distance estimate. Blown by animated winds from an especially huge, hot huge title conclude to its middle, the Duck nebula is cataloged as NGC 2359. Unnecessary to teach, the Duck’s thick body and winged appendages moreover lend it the marginally extra dramatic stylish moniker, Thor’s Helmet. Portal Universe: Random APOD Generator