Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Gemini (Gem)
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The Medusa Nebula (SH2-274), Bruno Rota Sargi
The Medusa Nebula (SH2-274)
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The Medusa Nebula (SH2-274)

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The Medusa Nebula (SH2-274), Bruno Rota Sargi
The Medusa Nebula (SH2-274)
Powered byPixInsight

The Medusa Nebula (SH2-274)

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Description

The Medusa Nebula, also known as Sharpless 2-274, is a planetary nebula located in the constellation of Gemini. Named "Medusa" due to its resemblance to the head in Greek mythology, it is the result of the death of a Sun-like star, expelling its outer layers of gas as it evolves into a white dwarf. It is located approximately 1,500 light-years from Earth, with a diameter of about four light-years, and displays intricate structures such as arcs, filaments, and shells, due to the interaction between the expelled material and the interstellar medium. A popular target for astronomical observations, it helps to understand stellar evolution and enrich the interstellar medium with chemical elements.

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The Medusa Nebula (SH2-274), Bruno Rota Sargi