NGC 2244: A Star Cluster in the Rosette Nebula
Image Credit &
Copyright:
Don Goldman
In the heart of the
Rosette Nebula lies a bright
open cluster
of stars that lights up the nebula.
The stars of NGC 2244 formed from the surrounding gas only a few million years ago.
The featured image
taken in January using multiple exposures and very specific colors of
Sulfur (shaded red),
Hydrogen (green), and
Oxygen (blue),
captures the central region in tremendous detail.
A hot wind of particles streams away from the cluster
stars and contributes to an already
complex menagerie of gas and
dust filaments while slowly evacuating the cluster center.
The Rosette Nebula's
center measures about 50 light-years across, lies about 5,200 light-years away,
and is visible with binoculars towards the constellation of
the Unicorn
(Monoceros).