The constellation of Monoceros (the Unicorn). Monoceros (centre) is a difficult constellation to identify in the sky, having only four stars brighter
The constellation of Monoceros (the Unicorn). Monoceros (centre) is a difficult constellation to identify in the sky, having only four stars brighter than magnitude four. It is situated though between two easily recognisable constellations; they are Orion the Hunter (bottom right) and Canis Minor with its brightest star Procyon seen at centre left. Monoceros is not an ancient constellation and there are no definite legends attached to it. The best known feature in Monoceros is the Rosette Nebula seen as a small, round and pink area at centre. This is a cloud of interstellar gas, mainly hydrogen, lit up and ionised by young and hot stars embedded in it.
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Photo credit: © JOHN SANFORD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: astronomy, constellation, cosmology, monoceros, science, star, stars, stellar, unicorn
