The Thor’s Helmet Nebula, also known as NGC 2359, lies in the constellation of Canis Major (The Great Dog).
The helmet-shaped nebula is around 15 000 light-years away from Earth and is over 30 light-years across.
The helmet is a cosmic bubble, blown as the wind from the bright, massive star near the bubble's centre sweeps through the surrounding molecular cloud.
The glowing gas is heated by the energetic radiation provided by the central star.
Many different colours, originating from different elements in the gas, are also visible, as well as many dust clouds.
ESO VLT Chile
"With the VLT, ALMA and the future E-ELT, ESO is entering a new era, one that not even the initial bold dreams of ESO’s founding members could have anticipated. To all of you that have made it possible, on behalf of ESO, thank you!" concludes Tim de Zeeuw.
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