This picture is of the bird-shaped nebula aptly named the Seagull Nebula. The nebula is visible about 7.5 degrees northeast of Sirius, the alpha star of the constellation Canis Major. It spans over 100 light years, and is an estimated 3,800 light years distant. The large stretch of gas and dust that forms the wings is known as IC 2177. It's head (above center, and a little to the left) is interestingly enough formed by another avian nebula called the Parrot Nebula, or NGC 2327. As a whole, the Seagull Nebula is dominated by the reddish tint of atomic hydrogen, as well as the bright young stars that have been formed in it.
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