Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Gemini (Gem)  ·  Contains:  NGC 2371  ·  NGC 2372  ·  PK189+19.1
Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
NGC 2371 Gemini Planetary Nebula, rdhand
Powered byPixInsight

NGC 2371 Gemini Planetary Nebula

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
NGC 2371 Gemini Planetary Nebula, rdhand
Powered byPixInsight

NGC 2371 Gemini Planetary Nebula

Equipment

Loading...

Acquisition details

Loading...

Description

NGC 2371/NGC 2372 is a planetary nebula often called the Gemini Nebula.  It confused astronomers when it was first studied.  It was instead recorded as two objects 2371/2372, owing to its symmetrical two lobed structure.  It is about 4,300 light-years away.  The remnant star visible at the center is the hot core of the former red giant.  Stripped of its outer layers its  surface temperature is 240,000 degrees Fahrenheit.  In only a few thousand years the nebula will dissipate into space. The central star will then gradually cool down, eventually becoming a white dwarf.

Comments

Sky plot

Sky plot

Histogram

NGC 2371 Gemini Planetary Nebula, rdhand

In these public groups

Cloudy Nights

In these collections

Planetary Nebula