RCW 49, also known as NGC 3247, is a H II region[1] nebula located 13,700 light years away.

[2] Other designations for the RCW 49 region include NGC 3247 and G29[3] and it is commonly known as the Whirling Dervish Nebula.

[6] In 2004, a 2003 image by the Spitzer Space Telescope was released showing the nebula in infrared wavelengths.

[2] It was noted as being almost 14 thousand light years from Earth, and the infrared camera could detect the stars obscured by dust clouds.

[6] In 2014, RCW 49 was identified as a bow shock candidate, along with M17 in a study of Extended Red Objects (ERO's) and Stellar Wind Bow Shocks in the Carina nebula.