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Eskimo nebula

NGC 2392

Planetary Nebula Good (51/100)
NGC 2392 PlanetaryNebula Gem Visible Level 4 Large telescope (10"+) - Benefits from OIII filter
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Properties

Magnitude 10.0
Angular Size 0.9′
B, S, R, *9 M, *8 nf 100"

Position & Identifiers

RA 07h 29m 12.0s
Dec +20° 55' 00.0"
Constellation Gem
Catalog NGC 2392

Visibility

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Eyepiece View

200x TFOV: 0.2° Lim. mag: 14.2
N E

Eskimo nebula · 0.9′ · N up, E left

Filter Response Guide

Central Star

Surface Brightness & Observing Difficulty

Survey Image

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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.