Nights at Melinda Heights

For a full size image click here.

Exposure: SII 21×900, Ha 24×900, OIII 18×900

Telescope: Televue NP101 + .8 Reducer

Camera: QSI 683

Mount: AP900

Distance: 5,000 Light Years                                

Magnitude: 4.8 Central Cluster                        

Size: 90×90 Arc Minutes                                     

Age: 4 Million Years                                             

The Rosette nebula is a large emission nebula in the constellation Monoceros. It consists of several star clusters with surrounding emission nebula designated as NGC 2237, 2238, 2239, and 2246 all surrounding the central open star cluster NGC 2244. The central star cluster is very young and was formed from the gas surrounding the cluster. This cluster is also responsible for illuminating the surrounding gas that forms the Rosette nebula. The cluster contains Type O and B stars which are very large and very hot and the ultraviolet radiation from these forms the “hole” in the center of the nebula by blasting away the less dense gas.

Star formation is still occurring in this region as other small clusters (NGC 2238,2239) have been detected in the surrounding gas areas of the nebula.

Below is an LRGB image from my home observatory in a Bortle 6 zone:

For a fulls size image click here.

Exposure: LRGB 12×300

Telescope: Televue NP101 + .8 Reducer

Camera: QSI 683

Mount: AP900

Distance: 5,000 Light Years                                

Magnitude: 4.8 Central Cluster                        

Size: 90×90 Arc Minutes                                      

Age: 4 Million Years