Eskimo Nebula
NGC 2392
Properties
Position & Identifiers
Visibility
Set a location in User Settings to see visibility data.
Survey Image
Loading survey image…
About Eskimo Nebula
Description
The Eskimo Nebula (NGC 2392) is a planetary nebula in Gemini, about 6,500 light-years away. In telescopes, it shows a bright central disk surrounded by a fainter outer shell, which together resemble a face surrounded by a fur-lined parka hood.
Observing Tips
One of the brightest and most rewarding planetary nebulae. A 4-inch telescope easily shows the bright disk. At 150x+ in an 8-inch scope, the double-shell structure becomes visible. An OIII filter helps with the outer shell. Best in winter and spring evenings.
History
Discovered by William Herschel on January 17, 1787. The Hubble Space Telescope revealed intricate radial filaments in the outer shell that gave the "fur hood" its texture.
Fun Facts
The inner shell is expanding at about 90 km/s while the outer shell moves at about 40 km/s, suggesting two separate ejection events. The central star has a surface temperature of 40,000 K.
Community Photos (1)
Credit: NASA, ESA, Andrew Fruchter (STScI), and the ERO team (STScI + ST-ECF). License: Public domain. (Wikimedia Commons)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026