This image shows only a portion of a very large emission nebula (IC 2177, Gum1, and SH2-292). Shown in this narrow field of view is what would be the head of a seagull.
The Seagull Nebula is located inside the Orion spur -- the same partial spiral arm of the Milky Way where our solar system is located. The region near the seagull's eye ( NGC 2327) contains a cluster of stars born about 1.5 million years ago. The eye is the brightest and hottest of the newborn stars in the entire nebula.
Exposures: 4.25 hrs of Ha (15 minute subexposures) and 20 min each RGB (10 min subs) for a total of 5.25 hours.
IC 2177 is approx. 3,800 light years away.
(image reduced to 60% of original size)
FOV = 52 x 35 arc minutes
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