IC 417

Common Name: Spider Nebula

Also Known as: Sharpless 2-234 (Sh2-234)

Object Type: Emission and Reflection Nebula

Constellation: Auriga

Distance from Earth: 10,000 light years

Apparent Magnitude:

Coordinates: RA 21H 33M 27.02S DEC -00 deg 49 min 23.7 sec

Actual Size: 100 light year in diameter

Apparent Dimensions: 13 arc-minutes

Discovered by: IC 417 was discovered by Max Wolf in 1892.

Description: It is often referred to as the Spider Nebula and in that case its prey is a nearby emission nebula called the Fly (NGC 1931).
The nebula contains a young open cluster of about 40 stars, and is energized by its hot, massive blue stars which are still embedded in glowing hydrogen gas.
The bluish clouds of gas at the top of the image are locations of new star formation.
The glowing center of the nebula is energized by the hot, massive blue stars embedded within.
New stars are being formed in the ovals left of center and the surrounding nebula.
NGC 417 lies near the much more observed nebulae IC 410 (the Tadpoles) and IC 405 (the Flaming Star).

Click Below Image(s) for Full Size:

It is sometimes referred to as the Spider Nebula as it appears to be attacking the nearby Fly Nebula (NGC 1931)

Platesolve

IC 417 Emission and Reflection Nebula

Imaging Details
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