NGC2359, Thor's Helmet
| This image of NGC2359 is from 20 x 5 minute exposures with a Celestron 9.25 at f/4.9; ST10XME camera binned 1:1; guiding with an AO8; click on image for full size |
NGC 2359 or Thor's Helmet is an emission nebula in the constellation Canis Major. The
bubble-like structure in this nebula is about 30 light-years across and is created by energetic
particle winds from an extremely hot Wolf-Rayet star seen near the center. Wolf-Rayet stars
are relatively rare massive blue giants which develop stellar winds with speeds of millions of
kilometers per hour. NGC 2359 is about 15,000 light-years distant.
bubble-like structure in this nebula is about 30 light-years across and is created by energetic
particle winds from an extremely hot Wolf-Rayet star seen near the center. Wolf-Rayet stars
are relatively rare massive blue giants which develop stellar winds with speeds of millions of
kilometers per hour. NGC 2359 is about 15,000 light-years distant.
