They call this Medusa because the filaments of glowing gas suggests the serpent hair of Medusa. I captured it with 10 hours of exposure time.

They call this Medusa because the filaments of glowing gas suggests the serpent hair of Medusa. I captured it with 10 hours of exposure time.

The Medusa Nebula is a large planetary nebula in the constellation of Gemini on the Canis Minor border. It was originally discovered in 1955 by UCLA astronomer George O. Abell, who classified it as an old planetary nebula. The braided serpentine filaments of glowing gas suggests the serpent hair of Medusa found in ancient Greek mythology.

It's 4 light years across and 1,500 light years from Earth.

Hardware:

Imaging Telescope:
Explore Scientific 127mm ED Refractor (952 focal length)

Imaging Camera:
ZWO ASI1600MM Cool

Mount:
Celestron CGX

/r/space Thread Link - i.redd.it