Universe FinderFly · Explore · Discover
c39-1
Hubble · Caldwell 39 · NASA, Andrew Fruchter, and the ERO Team [Sylvia Baggett (STScI), Richard Hook (ST-ECF), Zoltan Levay (STScI)]

Eskimo Nebula

Nebula in Gemini · 2,870 light-years

🔭 Explore Eskimo Nebula in the 3D map →View Eskimo Nebula images →
TypeNebula
ConstellationGemini
Right ascension7h 29m 11s
Declination+20° 55′
Object distance2,870 light-years
Apparent magnitude9.6
Apparent size0.9′ (arc-minutes)
Approx. true diameter0.8 light-years across
Also known asC39 · NGC 2392
Caldwell 39, popularly known as the Eskimo Nebula, is a nebula (NGC 2392) in Gemini — a luminous cloud of interstellar gas and dust. It appears as number 39 in the Caldwell catalogue, Sir Patrick Moore's 1995 list of 109 bright deep-sky objects for amateur astronomers. It spans roughly 0.9 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 9.6, it shows up in a small backyard telescope.

Although it appears about 0.9′ wide on the sky, its real span is roughly 0.8 light-years — the difference is a measure of how far away it lies.

Observing Eskimo Nebula

Eskimo Nebula lies in the constellation Gemini and is best placed in the evening sky around January. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the northern hemisphere, and sits low for those far south. A small backyard telescope will show it; binoculars may hint at it under dark skies. Note that the listed magnitude is spread across the whole object — diffuse galaxies and nebulae are often harder to see than the number alone suggests, so dark, moonless skies help a great deal.

See Eskimo Nebula in Universe Finder

Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Eskimo Nebula and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →

Sources

Related objects