Thor's Helmet Nebula (NGC 2259)

Thor's Helmet Nebula. Image courtesy Richard Crisp

A bright nebula that surrounds, and has been blown off by the Wolf-Rayet star GSC 5407:3417 – the brightest star visible within the nebulosity. Although similar in nature to the Bubble Nebula, interactions with a nearby large molecular cloud are thought to have contributed to the more complex shape and curved bow_shock structure of Thor's Helmet. It measures some 30 light-years across and lies in the constellation Canis Major.

size	8' × 8'
distance	about 15,000 light-years
position	R.A. 07h 18m 36.0s Dec: -13° 12' 00"

Related category

• NEBULAE AND STAR CLUSTERS

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