Zooming into The Cosmic Seagull: Nebula Sh2-296 | ESO

Zooming into The Cosmic Seagull: Nebula Sh2-296 | ESO

This zoom video starts from a wide view of the Milky Way and zooms in to the colorful and wispy Sharpless 2-296. This nebula forms the “wings” of an area of sky known as the Seagull Nebula—named for its resemblance to a gull in flight. This celestial bird contains a fascinating mix of intriguing astronomical objects. Glowing clouds weave amid dark dust lanes and bright stars. The Seagull Nebula—made up of dust, hydrogen, helium and traces of heavier elements—is the hot and energetic birthplace of new stars.

Distance: 3,500 light years

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO), Nick Risinger 

Duration: 55 seconds

Release Date: Aug. 7, 2019

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