the Ghost of Jupiter, Eye Nebula official video be universe.explorer-98

Added: 2026-05-27

NGC 3242, also known as the Ghost of Jupiter or Eye Nebula, is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Hydra that was discovered by William Herschel on February 7, 1785. This nebula measures approximately two light years in length and contains a central white dwarf with an apparent magnitude of 11. The inner layers of the nebula were formed around 1,500 years ago, and its distinctive shape resembles the planet Jupiter, earning it the nickname 'Ghost of Jupiter.' The nebula features FLIERS (Fast Moving Ionized Gas Lobes) at its ends, which appear red in false-color images, and can be observed with amateur telescopes, appearing bluish-green to most observers.