Rosette nebula, optical image. The nebula is catalogued as NGC 2237-2239. It surrounds the star cluster NGC 2244 (centre). This is a vast starbirth re

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Rosette nebula, optical image. The nebula is catalogued as NGC 2237-2239. It surrounds the star cluster NGC 2244 (centre). This is a vast starbirth region, where coalescence of the nebula's gas led to the formation of the stars in the cluster. The stellar winds of these stars has cleared a hole in the region around them, and their radiation ionises the hydrogen in the surrounding nebula, causing it to emit light. The cluster and nebula are around 5000 light years from Earth in the constellation Monoceros.

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Size: 5400px × 4031px
Photo credit: © ROBERT GENDLER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 2237-2239, 2244, astronomical, astronomy, astrophysical, astrophysics, black--white, cluster, emission, hii, monoceros, monochrome, nebula, nebulosity, ngc, open, region, rosette, space, star, starbirth, telescope