NGC 246

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NGC 246
HIP 3678, PMN J0047-1152, 2E 178, PN VV 4, IRAS 00445-1207, MCT 0044-1208[1]
See also: Lists of nebulae

NGC 246 (also known as the Skull Nebula[5] or Caldwell 56) is a planetary nebula in the constellation Cetus. It was discovered in 1785 by William Herschel. The nebula and the stars associated with it are listed in several catalogs, as summarized by the SIMBAD database.[1]

The nebula is roughly 3,500+720
−850 

hierarchical triple star system at its center.[9]

NGC 246 is not to be confused with the Rosette Nebula (NGC 2237), which is also referred to as the "Skull."[10] Among some amateur astronomers, NGC 246 is known as the "Pac-Man Nebula" because of the arrangement of its central stars and the surrounding star field.[6]

  • HaRGB image of The Skull Nebula (NGC 246). Data from the Liverpool Telescope, processed by Göran Nilsson. Total exposure time 1.1 hours.
    HaRGB image of The Skull Nebula (NGC 246). Data from the Liverpool Telescope, processed by Göran Nilsson. Total exposure time 1.1 hours.
  • NGC 246 acquired using the Schulman 0.8m Telescope atop Mount Lemmon, AZ. This is a full color (visual) image.
    NGC 246 acquired using the Schulman 0.8m Telescope atop Mount Lemmon, AZ. This is a full color (visual) image.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "NGC 246". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  2. ^
    doi:10.3390/galaxies6020065
    .
  3. ^ a b "SEDS NGC Catalog Online". Results for NGC 246. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  4. ^ "NGC 246". Astronomy: Stars & Planets. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  5. ^ a b "The Night Sky", Astronomy Now, Oct 2008.
  6. ^
    ISBN 1-59102-361-0
    , p 129.
  7. ISBN 0-933346-97-2
    , p 223.
  8. ISSN 0035-8711
    .
  9. ^ [email protected]. "Stars and Skulls: new ESO image reveals eerie nebula". www.eso.org. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  10. ^ "A hole in the heart of the Rosette Nebula". CNN. 14 February 2018.
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