Tuesday, February 25, 2025

The Rosette Nebula and Cluster (evening)

The rather faint stars of the constellation of Monoceros (the Unicorn) are on the eastern (left-hand) side of Orion and above the very bright Sirius in
Canis Major. The unicorn sits squarely astride the winter Milky Way and contains several spectacular deep sky objects. The Rosette Nebula (also known as NGC 2238) is a 1.5 degrees-wide circular cloud of reddish H2 emission surrounding a bright and loose open star cluster known as the Harp Cluster or NGC 2244. The structure, which is 5,200 light-years from our sun, is easily located just below the mid-point of the line connecting Procyon to Orion's shoulder star Bellatrix. The Rosette is visible in binoculars and low power eyepieces, but only long-exposure photos will reveal its colourful rose petal pattern.

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Linux
* Origin: CJ's Place, Orange City FL > cjsplace.thruhere.net (954:100/61)