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ScienceQuiet 13d · day 18

Rubin Observatory unveils 2024 test image of the Seagull Nebula

A ComCam commissioning shot of IC 2177, taken during 2024 hardware trials, is released publicly two years later.

newest coverage 13d agosummary written 13d ago13 pieces241 likes & upvotes3 comments Google NewsBlueskyNewswiresMastodon

What to know

  • The image of the Seagull Nebula (IC 2177) was actually captured in late 2024 during commissioning tests of Rubin Observatory's 144-megapixel Commissioning Camera (ComCam), one of about 16,000 test exposures taken between October 24 and December 11, 2024.
  • It was publicly released in October 2026, roughly two years after capture, as the observatory showcases early hardware and software testing ahead of full operations with the larger LSST Cam.
  • The nebula sits about 3,700 light-years away; its glowing pink 'head' (Sharpless 2-292) is shaped by the young triple-star system HD 53367 at its core.

Vera C. Rubin Observatory NSF–DOE funded observatoryNOIRLab Co-distributor of the image releaseNational Science Foundation (NSF) Co-manager of Rubin ObservatoryU.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Co-manager of Rubin Observatory

Rubin Observatory unveils 2024 test image of the Seagull Nebula
bsky.app

How it unfolded 4 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 5 pieces in 4h at Oct 25, 2 AM; 13 pieces over 18 days (9 articles · 4 posts) Oct 21, 2 PM — 3 pieces · 3 articles — Google News 3Oct 21, 6 PM — quietOct 21, 10 PM — quietOct 22, 2 AM — quietOct 22, 6 AM — quietOct 22, 10 AM — quietOct 22, 2 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Bluesky 1Oct 22, 6 PM — quietOct 22, 10 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Bluesky 1Oct 23, 2 AM — quietOct 23, 6 AM — quietOct 23, 10 AM — quietOct 23, 2 PM — quietOct 23, 6 PM — quietOct 23, 10 PM — quietOct 24, 2 AM — quietOct 24, 6 AM — quietOct 24, 10 AM — quietOct 24, 2 PM — quietOct 24, 6 PM — quietOct 24, 10 PM — quietOct 25, 2 AM — 5 pieces · 4 articles · 1 post — Google News 3, Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Oct 25, 6 AM — quietOct 25, 10 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 2Oct 25, 2 PM — quietOct 25, 6 PM — quietOct 25, 10 PM — quietOct 26, 2 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Oct 26, 6 AM — quietOct 26, 10 AM — quietOct 26, 2 PM — quietOct 26, 6 PM — quietOct 26, 10 PM — quietOct 27, 2 AM — quietOct 27, 6 AM — quietOct 27, 10 AM — quietOct 27, 2 PM — quietOct 27, 6 PM — quietOct 27, 10 PM — quietOct 28, 2 AM — quietOct 28, 6 AM — quietOct 28, 10 AM — quietOct 28, 2 PM — quietOct 28, 6 PM — quietOct 28, 10 PM — quietOct 29, 2 AM — quietOct 29, 6 AM — quietOct 29, 10 AM — quietOct 29, 2 PM — quietOct 29, 6 PM — quietOct 29, 10 PM — quietOct 30, 2 AM — quietOct 30, 6 AM — quietOct 30, 10 AM — quietOct 30, 2 PM — quietOct 30, 6 PM — quietOct 30, 10 PM — quietOct 31, 2 AM — quietOct 31, 6 AM — quietOct 31, 10 AM — quietOct 31, 2 PM — quietOct 31, 6 PM — quietOct 31, 10 PM — quietNov 1, 1 AM — quietNov 1, 5 AM — quietNov 1, 9 AM — quietNov 1, 1 PM — quietNov 1, 5 PM — quietNov 1, 9 PM — quietNov 2, 1 AM — quietNov 2, 5 AM — quietNov 2, 9 AM — quietNov 2, 1 PM — quietNov 2, 5 PM — quietNov 2, 9 PM — quietNov 3, 1 AM — quietNov 3, 5 AM — quietNov 3, 9 AM — quietNov 3, 1 PM — quietNov 3, 5 PM — quietNov 3, 9 PM — quietNov 4, 1 AM — quietNov 4, 5 AM — quietNov 4, 9 AM — quietNov 4, 1 PM — quietNov 4, 5 PM — quietNov 4, 9 PM — quietNov 5, 1 AM — quietNov 5, 5 AM — quietNov 5, 9 AM — quietNov 5, 1 PM — quietNov 5, 5 PM — quietNov 5, 9 PM — quietNov 6, 1 AM — quietNov 6, 5 AM — quietNov 6, 9 AM — quietNov 6, 1 PM — quietNov 6, 5 PM — quietNov 6, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quietToday, 9 AM — quiet 123–4
Oct 23Oct 25Oct 27Oct 29Oct 31Nov 2Nov 4now · 11:26 AM ET
  1. 4

    Additional outlets pick up the Seagull Nebula release

    Further coverage, including UA.NEWS and a Mastodon repost via europesays.com, continues circulating the image and framing it as a long-awaited test shot from Rubin Observatory.

    1. 1 outlet The Vera Rubin Observatory reveals the “eye” of the “Seagull” nebula

      first by Universe Space Tech, 14d ago

      1 more headline

    • # Astrophotography https://www. livescience.com/space/astronom y/cosmic-seagull-locks-eyes-with-the-vera-c-rubin-observatory-in-long-awaited-test-image-space-photo-of-the-week?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into DOF (DEPTH-OF-FIELD) @ dof-depth-of-field-nndflip

      nndflip@flipboard.comMastodon13d ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
  2. 3

    Live Science details the nebula and Rubin's test-imaging process

    Live Science publishes an explainer describing the Seagull Nebula's structure, the triple-star system HD 53367 at its center, and how the ComCam exposures fit into Rubin's broader commissioning timeline before full LSST Cam operations.

    “Stare into the transfixing eye of the "Seagull Nebula" in this newly-released test image from the visionary Vera C. Rubin Observatory.”
    — Brandon Specktor
    1. 1 outlet Cosmic 'seagull' locks eyes with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in long-awaited test image

      first by Live Science, 14d ago

    • europesays@pubeurope.com

      https://www. europesays.com/3330871/ Vera C. Rubin Observatory locks eyes with sinister Seagull Nebula in long-awaited test image — Space photo of the week # space

      europesays@pubeurope.comMastodon14d agoview on Mastodon ↗
  3. 2 days quiet
  4. 2

    Astronomy social accounts share the image widely

    Astronomy-focused Bluesky accounts post the image to large audiences, drawing attention to the nebula's distance and visual detail.

    “rubin observatory just released this STUNNING image of the seagull nebula, located about 3,700 light-years away 🥹🌌…”
    — astrojaz.bsky.social
    • astrojaz.bsky.social

      rubin observatory just released this STUNNING image of the seagull nebula, located about 3,700 light-years away 🥹🌌

      astrojaz.bsky.socialBluesky16d ago178▲view on Bluesky ↗
    1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
    • astronomy.bsky.social

      The Rubin Observatory just released a STUNNING new image of the Seagull Nebula Located about 3,700 light-years away

      astronomy.bsky.socialBluesky16d ago62▲view on Bluesky ↗
    all of them →
  5. 1

    NOIRLab and Rubin Observatory publicize the Seagull Nebula image

    The Rubin Observatory and NOIRLab distribute the image publicly, labeled 'Seagull Nebula Through the Eyes of NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory Commissioning Camera,' alongside a comparison of ComCam's field of view to the newer LSST Cam.

    1. 3 outlets first by Rubin Observatory, 14d ago · also Newswise, NOIRLab · read ↗

    2. 1 outlet Scale Comparison of Seagull Nebula to Trifid-Lagoon

      first by Rubin Observatory, 17d ago

  6. background

    Rubin Observatory's ComCam images the Seagull Nebula — Astronomers at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory aimed the experimental 144-megapixel Commissioning Camera at the Seagull Nebula (IC 2177) as part of a broader hardware and software test campaign, one of roughly 16,000 exposures taken between October 24 and December 11, 2024.

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