NGC 2371-2
Encyclopedia
NGC 2371-2 is a dual lobed planetary nebula
located in the constellation
Gemini
. Visually, it appears like it could be two separate objects; therefore, two entries were given to the planetary nebula by William Herschel in the "New General Catalogue
", so it may be referred to as NGC 2371, NGC 2372, or variations on this name.
At 13th magnitude, this nebula is well within the limits of most amateur telescopes. Like most planetary nebulae, this one responds well to both high magnification and narrow-band filters, especially an OIII emission filter. It is listed within the RASC's 110 Finest NGC List
constellation which is visible in the latitude
s between +90° and −60°.This nebula
is easy to find because it lies southwest of Castor. Start at Castor and use the two bright stars that form an equilateral triangle to the southwest as a guide to tell you which direction to sweep. The nebula lies between the widest pair of three 7th magnitude stars that lie in a straight line. This planetary nebula
is located at a distance of 4400 light years.
Planetary nebula
A planetary nebula is an emission nebula consisting of an expanding glowing shell of ionized gas ejected during the asymptotic giant branch phase of certain types of stars late in their life...
located in the constellation
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
Gemini
Gemini (constellation)
Gemini is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It was one of the 48 constellations described by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations today. Its name is Latin for "twins", and it is associated with the twins Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology...
. Visually, it appears like it could be two separate objects; therefore, two entries were given to the planetary nebula by William Herschel in the "New General Catalogue
New General Catalogue
The New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars is a well-known catalogue of deep sky objects in astronomy. It contains 7,840 objects, known as the NGC objects...
", so it may be referred to as NGC 2371, NGC 2372, or variations on this name.
Observations
How to find
NGC 2371-2 is in the GeminiGemini (constellation)
Gemini is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It was one of the 48 constellations described by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations today. Its name is Latin for "twins", and it is associated with the twins Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology...
constellation which is visible in the latitude
Latitude
In geography, the latitude of a location on the Earth is the angular distance of that location south or north of the Equator. The latitude is an angle, and is usually measured in degrees . The equator has a latitude of 0°, the North pole has a latitude of 90° north , and the South pole has a...
s between +90° and −60°.This nebula
Planetary nebula
A planetary nebula is an emission nebula consisting of an expanding glowing shell of ionized gas ejected during the asymptotic giant branch phase of certain types of stars late in their life...
is easy to find because it lies southwest of Castor. Start at Castor and use the two bright stars that form an equilateral triangle to the southwest as a guide to tell you which direction to sweep. The nebula lies between the widest pair of three 7th magnitude stars that lie in a straight line. This planetary nebula
Planetary nebula
A planetary nebula is an emission nebula consisting of an expanding glowing shell of ionized gas ejected during the asymptotic giant branch phase of certain types of stars late in their life...
is located at a distance of 4400 light years.