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NGC 248

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description NGC 248 Overview

NGC 248 is an emission nebula and star-forming region in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. It contains glowing hydrogen gas ionized by radiation from young, massive stars and is classified as an H II region. Scottish astronomer James Dunlop recorded the object in 1826, and it was later included in the New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars.

help NGC 248 FAQ

Why does NGC 248 glow red?

NGC 248 glows because radiation from young, massive stars ionizes the surrounding hydrogen gas. The excited hydrogen emits the red light visible in Hubble images. [NASA Science](https://science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble/ngc-248-in-the-small-magellanic-cloud/)

Where is NGC 248 located, and how far away is it?

NGC 248 lies in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. NASA places the Small Magellanic Cloud at approximately 200,000 light-years away in the constellation Tucana. [NASA Science](https://science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble/ngc-248-in-the-small-magellanic-cloud/)

Is NGC 248 one nebula or two?

The object called NGC 248 is a combination of two nearby glowing nebulae that appear as one in the image. Both regions contain hydrogen gas heated by bright central stars. [NASA Science](https://science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble/ngc-248-in-the-small-magellanic-cloud/)

How large is NGC 248?

NASA describes NGC 248 as roughly 60 light-years long and 20 light-years wide. Hubble observations of the object were part of the SMIDGE study of dust and gas in the Small Magellanic Cloud. [NASA Science](https://science.nasa.gov/asset/hubble/ngc-248-in-the-small-magellanic-cloud/)

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