NGC 2174, Monkey Head Nebula, Monkey Nebula
NASA's WISE image of the nebula NGC 2174, on the border of the Gemini and Orion constellations. NGC 2174 is a cloud of gas and dust that surrounds the star cluster NGC 2175. As the star cluster heats up the nebula, the dust begins to glow in infrared light. Strong winds and radiation from the stars blow away the nearby material, creating a shell-like structure. It is a favorite target for amateur astronomers because it can be seen in binoculars or a small telescope. Another nebula can be seen in the upper half of this image. In this case, the gas is hollowed out by a massive star named TYC 1326-964-1. The matter in between the stars in this nebula is named (GS55) 85, after the initials of the astronomers who first catalogued it in the 1950s. Several red-colored young stellar objects can be seen scattered throughout this nebula. These are newly formed stars still enshrouded in a cloud of dust. Near the top and toward the left of the image lies a bright blue star known as HR2190, which is actually a red dwarf star.
Size: 3000px × 3556px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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