The Medusa Nebula, also known as Abell 21, is a planetary nebula resulting from gas shed by a dying star during its red giant phase. The braided and twisted filaments of magenta gas are reminiscent of the serpents that comprised Medusa's hair. The remnant of the star, a white dwarf, can be seen at the center of the nebula as a small blue star. This nebula is very faint.

Telescope: Celestron Compustar C14.

Exposures: HaRGB=1020:110:100:100=22 hours 10 minutes total exposure at f/8.3. 

This image was published as a Picture of the Day on Astronomy.com.