Sh2-302 (aka RCW7 and Gum6)^[1] is an emission nebula located in the constellation Puppis^[1] approximately 5,800 light years distant^[1,2].  Sh2-302 is classified as an emission nebula with a diameter of about 36 light years^[2].  The nebula is ionized by the open cluster Bochum 5^[1].

Two other celestial objects located adjacent to Sh2-302 are visible in the image above.  Located to the upper left is the small blue reflection nebula identified as VdB 97^[2].  Just below Sh2-302 is a small, but bright, open cluster cataloged NGC 2409^[2].

Sh2-302 is commonly called the Snowman Nebula^[1].  The image above is oriented with north up and east to the left.  With this orientation, the "Snowman" seems to be lying on its side.  The dark band traversing the Snowman is seen as a scarf around its neck^[1].

The image was assembled by mapping Ha to red and OIII to blue and green.  The stars were overlaid with data from a red, green, and blue filtered image.  This method of assembly produces a "near true color" version of the image.