Witch Head Nebula
Also known as IC 2118 · NGC 1909
Witch Head Nebula is a reflection nebula in the constellation Eridanus, about 960 light-years from Earth.
Reflection nebula near Rigel
Facts
| Type | Reflection nebula |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Eridanus |
| Position (J2000) | 5h 04m 55s, −7° 15′ |
| Distance | 960 light-years (its light set off about 960 years ago) |
| Size on the sky | 180′ × 60′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines by reflected starlight, which a nebula filter would dim.) |
| Studied in | 37 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Witch Head Nebula is highest in the sky at midnight in December. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 63° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 33°.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Eridanus
Everything in Eridanus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits