                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2023 January 19

                             The Seagull Nebula
                   Image Credit & Copyright: Carlos Taylor

   Explanation: A broad expanse of glowing gas and dust presents a
   bird-like visage to astronomers from planet Earth, suggesting its
   popular moniker - The Seagull Nebula. Using narrowband image data, this
   3-panel mosaic of the cosmic bird covers a 2.5 degree swath across the
   plane of the Milky Way, near the direction of Sirius, alpha star of the
   constellation Canis Major. Likely part of a larger shell structure
   swept up by successive supernova explosions, the broad Seagull Nebula
   is cataloged as Sh2-296 and IC 2177. The prominent bluish arc below and
   right of center is a bow shock from runaway star FN Canis Majoris. This
   complex of gas and dust clouds with other stars of the Canis Majoris
   OB1 association spans over 200 light-years at the Seagull Nebula's
   estimated 3,800 light-year distance.

                     Tomorrow's picture: pixels in space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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