New Image of Cosmic Butterfly Captured by Chile Telescope

A telescope in Chile has recently captured a breathtaking image of the Butterfly Nebula, also known as NGC 6302, located 2,500 to 3,800 light-years away in Scorpius. This stunning photo, taken by the Gemini South telescope, showcases the nebula’s vibrant, glowing “wings,” formed from gas expelled by a dying white dwarf star. Students selected this celestial target to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the International Gemini Observatory. The nebula’s discovery is attributed to astronomers Edward E. Barnard and James Dunlop in the early 20th century.