Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Puppis (Pup)  ·  Contains:  Sh2-302  ·  VdB97
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Sh2-302 - vdb 97, Gary Imm
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Sh2-302 - vdb 97

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
Sh2-302 - vdb 97, Gary Imm
Powered byPixInsight

Sh2-302 - vdb 97

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Description

This object is the only snowman I get to see all winter. The image contains three objects - an emission nebula, a reflection nebula, and an open star cluster - all located in the southern constellation of Puppis.

The primary object is the red emission nebula, located 6000 light years away with a diameter of 36 light years. This nebula is also known as RCW7 and Gum 6. The nebula is crossed by a dark dust lane. Similar to the structure of a snowman, the nebula seems to consist of two overlapping circular areas, one twice as large as the other. The "snowman" appears to be wearing a belt of bright stars around his waist.

Above and to the right of the nebula is the pretty blue reflection nebula, vdB 97. Opposite vdB 97, on the left side of the nebula, is the small but striking open cluster NGC 2409 . These two objects form the "arms" of the snowman. A few other white and yellow small reflection nebulae are seen on the right side of the snowman.

Dust is prevalent in the lower half of the image, as seen in the orangish tint of the background star field. Also, there are a few interesting straight line star asterisms sprinkled throughout the image. Two of the most intriguing are at upper left and center left.

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