Planetary nebula · Cetus

NGC 246 Skull Nebula

Also known as: C56

mag 8.04.1′ across

About

NGC 246, the Skull Nebula, is a planetary nebula of magnitude 8.0 in Cetus, about 4.1′ across.

NGC 246 is in the constellation Cetus.
Best evenings: around mid-November it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from south of 68° N.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesNot visible to the naked eye.
Binoculars (10×50)A faint grey patch.
Telescope (6–8 inch)A small disc or ring of grey-green light; an OIII or UHC filter helps.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	NGC 246, C56, PN G118.8-74.7
Type	Planetary nebula
Magnitude	8.0The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	4.1′the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	≈ 19.7 mag/arcsec²Estimate from the magnitude and size, per square arcsecond.
Constellation	Cetus
Right ascension (J2000)	00h 47m 03.4s
Declination (J2000)	−11° 52′ 19″