February 2016 - Picture of the Month
NGC 2237 (The Rosette Nebula) in the Constellation of Monoceros
Another nebula you might be thinking, and you'd be quite right. I've thrown in another open cluster too, NGC 2244, but there are no apologies. Being a small scope user I like the big and bold, and this image from Warren Keller and Michael Miller works just perfectly for me.
Warren's description
A staggering 50 light years across, it is a nursery to NGC 2244, the 'new' (1M year old) cluster of stars at center. Dark veins called Bok globules give the rose its petals. As a guitar player, it has special meaning. Stemming from the medieval lute, the beautiful decoration around a guitar's soundhole is also called a rosette. Thanks to Michael Miller for acquiring the data.
For a more detailed version, and a Hubble palette version too, please visit Warren's website: Billions and Billions.com.
James Whinfrey - Website Administrator.