Image 5-9
Eskimo Nebula

This image of planetary nebula NGC 2392 was captured by the Hubble Space telescope after its successful December 1999 servicing mission. This nebula has been nicknamed the "Eskimo Nebula" because it resembles a face surrounded by a fur parka. It is sometimes also known as the Clown Face Nebula. This planetary nebula formed about 10,000 years ago when the dying star began flinging material into space. NGC 2392 is located about 2,870 light-years away in the constellation Gemini. It can be viewed with a small telescope.