Actually, the nebulae tend to look the things they are named after. Constellations, less so. The big and little dipper, and the southern cross are notable exceptions to that.
The names of nebulae were mostly given either before photography (and the eye does not see colors so well at low light levels) or when photos were black and white. With color photography, things can look quite different. Often more spectacular, but not always as implied by the name. The ring nebula is still a ring in color and even more beautiful to behold.
face.less_b about 2 months ago
Release the nebulous Kraken!
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member about 2 months ago
The Spleen Nebula.
Its just me about 2 months ago
The only one that looks like it’s name is the southern cross.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member about 2 months ago
Actually, the nebulae tend to look the things they are named after. Constellations, less so. The big and little dipper, and the southern cross are notable exceptions to that.
The names of nebulae were mostly given either before photography (and the eye does not see colors so well at low light levels) or when photos were black and white. With color photography, things can look quite different. Often more spectacular, but not always as implied by the name. The ring nebula is still a ring in color and even more beautiful to behold.Ellis97 about 2 months ago
I think they named it that because of the constellations.
tcumming about 2 months ago
I heard that it was named after a mother-in-law
Gina Carson about 2 months ago
The (va)Gina Nebula.
CaveCat87 about 2 months ago
Don’t forget the Horsehead Nebula, it actually does look like a horse’s head.
alanoodle about 2 months ago
Squid nebula is already a thing and it really does look like a squid.
Buckaroobanzai about 2 months ago
the buckaroo banzai nebula ! no matter where you go, there it is !