                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2023 February 6
    A cluster of stars is seen in the evacuated center of a nebula of gas
    and dust. Intricate dust pillars occur at both the top and bottom of
    the image. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

                     In the Heart of the Rosette Nebula
                   Image Credit & Copyright: Lyman Insley

   Explanation: In the heart of the Rosette Nebula lies a bright 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 mid-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).

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                                 (post 1995)
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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                             & Michigan Tech. U.

