View source for NGC 2371-2

{{short description|Dual-lobed planetary nebula in the constellation Gemini}}
{{Planetary nebula |
| image = NGC 2371 legacy dr10.jpg
| caption = NGC 2371-2
| name = [[New General Catalogue|NGC]] 2371
| type = Planetary
| epoch = [[J2000]]
| ra = {{RA|07|25|34.7}}<ref name="simbad"/>
| dec = {{DEC|+29|29|25.6}}<ref name="simbad" />
| dist_ly = 4400 ly
| appmag_v = 13
| size_v = 44
| constellation = [[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]]
| radius_ly = 
| absmag_v = 
| notes = 
| names = [[New General Catalogue|NGC]] 2371,<ref name="simbad" /> [[New General Catalogue|NGC]] 2372<ref name="simbad" />
}}

'''NGC 2371-2''' is a dual lobed [[planetary nebula]] located  in the [[constellation]] [[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]].  Visually, it appears like it could be two separate objects; therefore, two entries were given to the planetary nebula by [[John Louis Emil Dreyer]] in the [[New General Catalogue]], so it may be referred to as NGC 2371, NGC 2372, or variations on this name.<ref name="simbad">{{cite simbad
  | title=NGC 2371
  | access-date=2007-04-20}}</ref> It has also been called the '''double bubble nebula'''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Deep-Sky Companions, Volume 4: The Secret Deep|first=Stephen James|last=O'Meara|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2011|isbn=9781139500074|contribution-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v859bKO0A4gC&pg=PA161|page=161|contribution=36: Double Bubble Nebula NGC 2371-2}}</ref>

The central star of the planetary nebula has a [[spectral type]] of [WO1], indicating a spectrum similar to that of an [[oxygen]]-rich [[Wolf–Rayet star]].<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1051/0004-6361/202141916|title=Planetary nebulae in Gaia EDR3: Central star identification, properties, and binarity|year=2021|last1=González-Santamaría|first1=I.|last2=Manteiga|first2=M.|last3=Manchado|first3=A.|last4=Ulla|first4=A.|last5=Dafonte|first5=C.|last6=López Varela|first6=P.|journal=Astronomy & Astrophysics|volume=656|pages=A51|arxiv=2109.12114|bibcode=2021A&A...656A..51G|s2cid=237940344}}</ref>

== Observations ==
NGC 2371-2 is in the constellation of [[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]] which is visible in the [[latitude]]s between +90° and −60°. The [[planetary nebula]] appears southwest of Castor, and is located at a distance of 4400 [[light year]]s.

At 13th magnitude, this nebula is well within the limits of most amateur telescopes.  Like most [[planetary nebulae]], this one responds well to both high magnification and narrow-band filters, especially an OIII emission filter.  It is listed within the RASC's 110 Finest NGC List.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rasc.ca/observing/finest-ngc-observing-certificate |title=Finest NGC Objects &#124; the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada |website=www.rasc.ca |access-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129055841/http://www.rasc.ca/observing/finest-ngc-observing-certificate |archive-date=29 November 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:The Death of a Star NGC 2371.tif|NGC 2371 taken by [[Hubble Space Telescope|HST]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Death of a Star |url=https://www.spacetelescope.org/images/potw1933a/ |website=www.spacetelescope.org |access-date=19 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
File:NGC 2371.png|NGC 2371 with [[Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2|WFPC2]]
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Gemini in Chinese astronomy]]
* [[Cancer Minor (constellation)]] – Obsolete constellation inside modern Gemini

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/opo9738c1/ The Hubble European Space Agency Information Centre Hubble picture and information on NGC 2371]
* {{WikiSky}}

{{Sky|07|25|34.7|+|29|29|25.6|4400}}
{{Ngc25}}
{{Stars of Gemini}}
{{Portal bar|Astronomy|Stars|Outer space}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:NGC 2371-2}}
[[Category:Planetary nebulae]]
[[Category:Gemini (constellation)]]
[[Category:NGC objects|2371]]