IC 2944, nicknamed the Running Chicken Nebula

This new image from the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope shows the Running Chicken Nebula, a cloud of gas and newborn stars that lies around 6500 light-years away from us in the constellation of Centaurus (The Centaur). Officially called IC 2944, or the Lambda Centauri Nebula, its strange nickname comes from the bird-like shape of its brightest region. The star Lambda Centauri itself lies just outside the field of view.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso1135a
Type:Observation
Release date:21 September 2011, 12:00
Related releases:eso1135
Size:8579 x 7763 px

About the Object

Name:IC 2944
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Appearance : Emission : H II Region
Distance:6500 light years
Constellation:Centaurus
Category:Nebulae

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17.9 MB
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Coordinates

Position (RA):11 38 20.44
Position (Dec):-63° 22' 22.45"
Field of view:34.01 x 30.77 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.1° right of vertical