                        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.

                                2025 June 26

                             The Seagull Nebula
                  Image Credit & Copyright: Timothy Martin

   Explanation: An interstellar expanse of glowing gas and obscuring dust
   presents a bird-like visage to astronomers from planet Earth,
   suggesting its popular moniker, the Seagull Nebula. This broadband
   portrait of the cosmic bird covers a 3.5-degree wide swath across the
   plane of the Milky Way, in the direction of Sirius, alpha star of the
   constellation of the Big Dog (Canis Major). The bright head of the
   Seagull Nebula is cataloged as IC 2177, a compact, dusty emission and
   reflection nebula with embedded massive star HD 53367. The larger
   emission region, encompassing objects with other catalog designations,
   is Likely part of an extensive shell structure swept up by successive
   supernova explosions. The notable bluish arc below and right of center
   is a bow shock from runaway star FN Canis Majoris. Dominated by the
   reddish glow of atomic hydrogen, this complex of interstellar 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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