IC 2177 / NGC 2335 (Seagull Nebula) · Seestar S30 Pro · 2026-02-17
The Seagull Nebula is a large emission nebula complex straddling the border of Monoceros and Canis Major, roughly 3,650 light-years away and spanning about 100 light-years, or some 3 degrees on the sky (about seven times the apparent width of the full Moon).
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The Seagull Nebula is a large emission nebula complex straddling the border of Monoceros and Canis Major, roughly 3,650 light-years away and spanning about 100 light-years, or some 3 degrees on the sky (about seven times the apparent width of the full Moon). The complex takes its name from its wing-like overall shape: the nebula's “head,” a compact, bright region with its own embedded young cluster, is often cataloged separately, while the fainter “wings” carry the IC 2177 designation and the open cluster NGC 2335 sits near the nebula's northern end. Given its large apparent size and relatively low surface brightness, it is best suited to wide-field imaging with shorter focal lengths, where Hα framing helps bring out the full wingspan of glowing gas against the surrounding star field.
[Source: general astronomical references, incl. Wikipedia IC 2177 and amateur imaging guides]
Moon Phase
New Moon
Camera
Seestar S30 Pro (4K Sony IMX585 sensor)
Optics
160 mm focal length, f/5.3, 30 mm aperture (APO quadruplet)
