The Seagull Nebula in Monoceros

The Seagull Nebula in Monoceros

IC 2177 is a region of nebulosity that lies along the border between the constellations Monoceros and Canis Major. It is a roughly circular H II region centered on the Be star HD 53367. This nebula was discovered by Welsh amateur astronomer Isaac Roberts and was described by him as "pretty bright, extremely large, irregularly round, very diffuse."

Distance from Earth: around 3,800 light-years

The name Seagull Nebula is sometimes applied by amateur astronomers to this emission region, although it more properly includes the neighboring regions of star clusters, dust clouds, and reflection nebulae. This latter region includes the open star clusters NGC 2335 and NGC 2343.

IC 2177 is also known as the Seagull's Head, due to its larger presence in the Seagull nebula. The nebula Gum 2, also known as Sh 2-296, forms the Seagull's wings.

Astrophotographer Ian Inverarity: "The head portion of the Seagull Nebula, shot over 2 nights in Hawker, South Australia. Shot with a new Beamtech CDK250, ZWO 2600 MC Duo colour camera, UMi-20S EQ mount. So far this combo is working nicely!"

Image Credit: Ian Inverarity
Release Date: Jan. 18, 2026

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