Seagull Nebula

The Seagull Nebula is an emission nebula (primarily ionized hydrogen) that straddles the border between the constellations Monoceros (on the left) and Canis Major (on the right). The whole hot mess is typically referenced as IC 2177 (the Index Catalogue (IC) is a list of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters that supplements the New General Catalogue (NGC)), but many different features have catalogue numbers of their own.

 

NGC 2335 and NGC 2343 are open clusters in Monoceros. HD 53367 (Henry Draper star catalogue) is a triple star system that ionizes the "head" of the seagull, Sh 2-292 (the Sharpless Catalogue (Sh)).

 

NGC 2327 is a reflection nebula in Canis Major.

 

FN Canis Majoris is a runaway binary star system that was ejected from its home sometime in the past. It is currently screaming through this gas cloud, creating the prominent bow shock -- the blue arc -- in advance of its trajectory.

 

Rio Rancho NM Bortle 5 zone, January 14-18, 2025

William Optics Redcat 51

ZWO 183mm pro

ZWO 30mm f/4 mini guide scope and ZWO 120 Mini

Optolong Ha OIII

ZWO ASI Air Pro

Sky-Watcher HEQ5

Darks GraXpert dithering

Gain 111 at -10C

Processed in DSS GraXpert and PS

 

HOO palette. Approximately 10 hours of Ha and 10 hours of OIII.

Done