The Rosette Nebula (NGC
2237, NGC 2238, NGC 2239 and NGC 2246.)
Object Type - Emission nebula with open cluster
(NGC 2244),
Constellation - Monoceros,
Distance - 5,500 light years,
Size -
130 light years across.
The Rosette Nebula is a
large emission
nebula located in the constellation of Monoceros. The brighter portions
of the Rosette have been assigned different NGC numbers: 2237, 2238,
2239, and 2246. The cluster of stars at the center of the Rosette,
collectively known as NGC 2244, are super-hot O-type stars which provide the
ultraviolet radiation which causes the gas of the nebula to glow. It is
believed that the radiation pressure from the stars of NGC 2244, which formed
from the nebula, is the cause of the central hole. Astronomers also believe
that the central stars formed less than 1 million years ago and that the intense
stellar wind from these stars is presently dissipating the nebula.
The Rosette
Nebula is believed to be 5,500 light years distant with an estimated diameter of
130 light years.
Follow this link for more information on the Rosette Nebula:
http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/ngc/n2244.html
The image below is a 35 mm film image taken with the same telescope
in 2001.
