nebula · Canis Major

NGC 2359 — Thor's Helmet Nebula

NGC 2359, known as Thor's Helmet, is an emission nebula located about 15,000 light-years away in the constellation Canis Major. The nebula gets its nickname from its distinctive shape, resembling a winged helmet from Norse mythology. The bubble-like structure is carved out by powerful stellar winds from an extremely hot Wolf-Rayet star at its center, which is rapidly shedding its outer layers as it nears the end of its life.