Sh2-290, also cataloged as Abell 31, is one of the largest planetary nebulae in the night sky, spanning over 16 arcminutes across the constellation Cancer. Estimated to lie about 2,000 light-years from Earth, this ancient remnant of a dying star displays a delicate shell of ionized gas expanding into space, with a mix of red H-alpha emission and bluish OIII glow revealing its layered structure. The central white dwarf—faint and barely visible—illuminates the nebula's ghostly form, offering a glimpse into the Sun’s distant future.

Captured under the skies of Gandhinagar, Gujarat, this image highlights the challenge and reward of imaging such a faint target. Its low surface brightness demands long total exposure time and carefully balanced processing to reveal the subtle structures in the nebula’s extended halo. Despite its size, Abell 31’s soft appearance makes it an elusive gem in astrophotography, requiring both patience and technical precision to fully appreciate its spectral beauty.