Rosette Nebula
The Rosette Nebula is a vast emission nebula located about 5,200 light years away. The star forming region lies near a large molecular cloud in… Read More »Rosette Nebula
Cassiopeia’s W
The constellation Cassiopeia has long been known by its popular nickname, the W constellation. Its five brightest stars form the distinctive shape of a W… Read More »Cassiopeia’s W
Fireworks Galaxy (NGC 6946)
The Fireworks Galaxy is a bright spiral galaxy located on the border between the constellations Cepheus and Cygnus. It is one of the nearest spiral… Read More »Fireworks Galaxy (NGC 6946)
Pointer Stars
The Pointer Stars are the two bright stars in Ursa Major that can be used to find Polaris, the North Star. The two stars, Dubhe… Read More »Pointer Stars
Helix Nebula (NGC 7293): Eye of God
The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) is a bright, large planetary nebula located 650 light years from Earth in the constellation Aquarius. It is one of… Read More »Helix Nebula (NGC 7293): Eye of God
Cocoon Nebula
The Cocoon Nebula (IC 5146) is a reflection/emission nebula located approximately 2,500 light years away in the constellation Cygnus. With an apparent magnitude of 7.2… Read More »Cocoon Nebula
Water Jar
The Water Jar is an asterism formed by four relatively bright stars in the constellation Aquarius: Gamma, Pi, Eta, and Zeta Aquarii. Also known as… Read More »Water Jar