The Rosette Nebula is a cloud of gas and dust, about 130 light years in diameter, lying approximately 5000 light years from our Solar System, in the direction of the constellation of Monoceros. the nebula lies an open cluster of bright young stars designated NGC 2244. These stars formed about four million years ago from the nebular material and their stellar winds are clearing a hole in the nebula's center, insulated by a layer of dust and hot gas. Ultraviolet light from the hot cluster stars causes the surrounding nebula to glow. The Rosette Nebula can be seen with a small telescope towards the constellation of Monoceros.

Imaging Data

Date: 11-12-2010

Location : Sudbury, Massachusetts

Optics : William Optic ZenithStar 66mm Semi-Apo Refractor

Filter(s) : Astronomik CLS-CCD

Mount : Piggyback Meade LX-200 on ATS Pier

Autoguiding : Meade DSI-Stellarvue 60mm Finder Scope

Camera : Canon EOS 1000D Astro-modified

Exposure info : 40 x 180 sec Exposures at ISO1600

Total Exposure : 120 minutes

Processing:  Pixinsight and Photoshop