Skull Nebula NGC 246 in Cetus | Gemini South Telescope

Skull Nebula NGC 246 in Cetus | Gemini South Telescope

A Gemini South Telescope image of the planetary nebula NGC 246 (also known as the Skull Nebula or Caldwell 56). This planetary nebula lies about 1,600 light-years away in the constellation Cetus. Its central star shines at 12th magnitude and is whisking through space at about 80 kilometers (50 miles) per second.

Distance from Earth: roughly ~3,500

NGC 246 was discovered in 1785 by German–British astronomer William Herschel.

NGC 246 and other objects like it are known as planetary nebulae due to their appearance through early telescopes as rounded, faintly luminous discs similar to the distant planets Uranus and Neptune. 

Gemini South Telescope in Chile:
https://noirlab.edu/public/programs/gemini-observatory/gemini-south/

Credit: International Gemini Observatory
Release Date: April 7, 2006

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