NGC 2438 is a planetary nebula in the southern constellation of Puppis.

[2] Parallax measurements by Gaia put the central star at a distance of roughly 1,370 light years.

[7] The structure is surrounded by a fainter, mostly circular halo that is more visible on the western half,[6] and has a diameter of 130″.

[8] The nebula consists of material ejected from the central star during the asymptotic giant branch stage, beginning about 8,500 years ago.

[7] The central star of this planetary nebula is a 17.7-magnitude white dwarf,[3] with a surface temperature of about 75,000 K (74,700 °C).