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                           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.   
      
                                 2026 February 14   
      
                                   Roses are Red   
                    Image Credit & Copyright: Raffaele Calcagno   
            Text: Keighley Rockcliffe (NASA GSFC, UMBC CSST, CRESST II)   
      
      Explanation: Roses are red, nebulas are too, and this Valentine's gift   
      is a stunning view! Pictured is a loving look at the Rosette Nebula   
      (NGC 2237): a cosmic bloom of bright young stars sitting atop a stem of   
      glowing hot gas. The roseCÇÖs blue-white speckles are among the most   
      luminous stars in the galaxy, with some burning millions of times   
      brighter than the Sun. Their stellar winds sculpt the famed rose shape   
      by pushing gas and dust away from the center. Though only a few million   
      years old, these massive stars are already nearing the end of their   
      lives, while dimmer stars embedded in the nebula will burn for billions   
      of years to come. The vibrant red hue comes from hydrogen gas, ionized   
      by the ultraviolet light from the young stars. The roseCÇÖs blue-white   
      center is color-mapped to indicate the presence of similarly ionized   
      oxygen. The Rosette Nebula reminds us of the beauty and transformation   
      woven into the fabric of the universe.   
      
                          Tomorrow's picture: flying free   
        __________________________________________________________________   
      
          Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)   
               NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.   
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                         A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,   
                              NASA Science Activation   
                                & Michigan Tech. U.   
      
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