Nebulae in Mythology and Culture

The Pleiades Nebula, also known as the Seven Sisters, was associated with the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione in Greek mythology.

The Butterfly Nebula, officially known as NGC 6302, is a bipolar planetary nebula with a striking butterfly-like appearance.

The Maori people of New Zealand associated the Orion Nebula with the anchor stone that held the sky in place.

The Rosette Nebula, also known as NGC 2237, is a large emission nebula with a distinctive rose-like shape.

The Emu Nebula, also known as Dark Emu Nebula, was associated with the creation of the Milky Way in Aboriginal Australian mythology.

The Crab Nebula, officially known as M1, is a supernova remnant with a distinct crab-like structure.

The Veil Nebula, also known as NGC 6960, was associated with the goddess of love and beauty, Freyja, in Norse mythology.

The Horsehead Nebula, officially known as IC 434, is a dark nebula with a prominent horsehead-like structure.

The Dragon Nebula, also known as NGC 6559, was associated with the celestial dragon in Chinese mythology.

The Lagoon Nebula, officially known as M8, is a large emission nebula with a distinctive lagoon-like shape.

The Eagle Nebula, also known as M16, was associated with the god of the sun, Ra, in ancient Egyptian mythology.

The Trifid Nebula, officially known as M20, is a large emission nebula with a distinctive trifid-like shape.

The Elephant's Trunk Nebula, also known as IC 1396, was associated with the god of destruction, Shiva, in Hindu mythology.

The Cone Nebula, officially known as NGC 2264, is a dark nebula with a prominent cone-shaped structure.

The Owl Nebula, also known as M97, was associated with the goddess of wisdom and war, Athena, in ancient Greek mythology.