Astronomy Picture of the Day -- The Seagull Nebula

NASA ^ | March 08, 2012 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: A broad expanse of glowing gas and dust presents a bird-like visage to astronomers from planet Earth, suggesting its popular moniker -- The Seagull Nebula. This portrait of the cosmic bird covers a 1.6 degree wide swath across the plane of the Milky Way, near the direction of Sirius, alpha star of the constellation Canis Major. Of course, the region includes objects with other catalog designations: notably NGC 2327, a compact, dusty emission region with an embedded massive star that forms the bird's head (aka the Parrot Nebula, above center). IC 2177 forms the sweeping arc of the seagull's wings. Dominated by the reddish glow of atomic hydrogen, the complex of gas and dust clouds with bright young stars spans over 100 light-years at an estimated 3,800 light-year distance.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit & Copyright: Harel Boren]

[SunkenCiv]

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[NH Red]

Thanks, Great wallpaper. Always appreciate your posts.

[blueunicorn6]

OK SunkenCiv.....I was going to say that I couldn’t see any seagull in this photo, but I looked again and sure enough it’s that darn seagull who stole my hamburger at Sea World after I shot ketchup at him from the squeeze bottle. I didn’t know you were there. You should have come up and said “hi” after you took the picture. Did you get a photo of me with SHAMU peeing on me? We sent that one out as a Christmas card.

[left that other site]

Another Beauty! Thank You!

[muawiyah]

A SEAGULL ~ thought you’d like this one!

[SunkenCiv]

Killer whales — now we know where they got their name.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[rarestia]

Damn sky rats! They’re a menace to Floridians. We had one attack our dachshund when we were at the beach a few weeks ago. Turns out she looks like a big brown hot dog from the air.

The picture, on the other hand, is breathtaking. Terrible name though.

[Kevmo]

Thanks for the ping. I don’t see the seagull. I’m artistically challenged.

[muawiyah]

Sorry. It’s really cute.