Planetary Nebula · Gemini

C39 Eskimo Nebula

Magnitude
9.2
Season
Winter
Difficulty
Very Hard
Star-hop chart
C390.0° field0° rotation
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Imaging reference
Eskimo Nebula (C39) Planetary Nebula

Observer's guide

About Eskimo Nebula

Eskimo Nebula (C39) is catalogued as a planetary nebula in Gemini. Its J2000 position is RA 07:29:10, Dec +20:54:42, corresponding to 112.2949 degrees RA and 20.9118 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 4,100 light-years away. Its referenced angular extent is approximately 0.34 by 0.34 arcminutes.

Observing tips

StarWatchr rates this as a very hard target at magnitude 9.2. It is associated with winter observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around January. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 58.9 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.

Because it is faint, use a larger aperture where possible, avoid bright Moon conditions, and use averted vision.

What to expect

The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is PN. A published radial velocity value is 84.2 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 746 bibliographic references.

At roughly 0.3 arcminutes across, it benefits from a narrower field and adequate image scale. Use the listed 0.34 by 0.34 arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.

Sourced catalogue data

Scientific record

Measurements for C39 are kept separate from practical observing guidance.

Coordinates (J2000/ICRS)
RA 112.294863° · Dec 20.911799°
SIMBAD classification
PN
Spectral type
O6f
Angular extent
0.34′ × 0.34′
Position angle
72°
Surface brightness
15.49 mag/arcsec²
Radial velocity
84.2 km/s
Redshift
0.0002809
Linked bibliography
746 references
Best midnight placement
January
Observable latitude range
-69.1° to 90°

Source: SIMBAD astronomical database (CDS, Strasbourg) (ODbL; checked 2026-08-09). Catalogue values may change when new measurements are published.

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