Medusa Nebula (Abell 21) -- Planetary Nebula in Gemini
In-between the setting of the bright gibbous moon and sunrise, I only had a couple of hours
of true darkness to observe. It was a transparent sky and the winter constellations were
high overhead just before the first light of the day. My main target for the morning was the
Medusa Nebula.
Under suburban skies this Planetary Nebula is a challenge and without a really clear sky
and a specialized nebula filter, I would never have found it. Even so, it was subtle and
ghostly. The shape of the Medusa Nebula (Abell 21) is that of a disappearing crescent
moon that is just on the verge of becoming invisible. A fine object for the Halloween
Season.
of true darkness to observe. It was a transparent sky and the winter constellations were
high overhead just before the first light of the day. My main target for the morning was the
Medusa Nebula.
Under suburban skies this Planetary Nebula is a challenge and without a really clear sky
and a specialized nebula filter, I would never have found it. Even so, it was subtle and
ghostly. The shape of the Medusa Nebula (Abell 21) is that of a disappearing crescent
moon that is just on the verge of becoming invisible. A fine object for the Halloween
Season.