NGC 246 is a planetary nebula located in the constellation Cetus. It is approximately 1,600 light-years away from Earth and is often referred to as the "Skull Nebula" due to its distinctive shape that resembles a skull. The nebula was discovered by the astronomer William Herschel in 1785. It has a central star that is a white dwarf, which is the remnant of a star that has shed its outer layers. The nebula's bright, glowing gas is a result of the ionization caused by the intense radiation from this central star.