The serpentine filaments of this nebula may explain
its association with Medusa of Greek mythology. In fact,
this object is an old and large planetary nebula, one of
the last products in the life of a star much like our sun.
The blue star near the center of the nebula has shed layers
of its material, which then glows under the radiation of
its source star. The Medusa Nebula is located 1500 light years
from earth near the border between the constellations Gemini
and Canis Major. It is about 4 light years across.

Image Data:
Camera: SBIG ST-4000XCM
Exposure: 6 hours 10 minutes (10 minutes x 37)
Telescope: 10" Schmidt-Newtonian, Baader MPCC