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Nebula N159
A "true color" composite image of the LMC HII region N159 as seen by WFPC2, based on images taken with filters Halpha, (red), [OIII], (green), and Hbeta, (blue). The Papillon nebula (N159-5) is the high excitation compact object lying in the center of the smaller PC frame.
About the Object
- R.A. PositionR.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.05h 39m 38.99s
- Dec. PositionDec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.-69° 44' 35.99"
- Object NameObject NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.N159
- Release DateJune 10, 1999
- Science ReleaseA Butterfly-Shaped “Papillon” Nebula Yields Secrets of Massive Star Birth
- Credit
Related Images & Videos

Butterfly-Shaped "Papillon" Nebula (inset) Found in Nebula N159
A NASA Hubble Space Telescope view of a turbulent cauldron of starbirth, called N159, taking place 170,000 light-years away in our satellite galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Torrential stellar winds from hot newborn massive stars within the nebula sculpt ridges, arcs,...
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Last Updated
Mar 28, 2025
Contact
Media
Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov