NGC 2261 | ||
 Click photo to see a larger image. | ||
| Description: | This fascinating nebula was discovered by Friedrich Herschel in 1783. It is known as "Hubble's Variable Nebula", though, because Hubble noticed that it changed appearance over time. R Monocerotis is the bright star behind the narrow end of the nebula. It is believed that R Mon is ejecting material drawn from an accretion disk, thus forming the paraboloid shape that we see here (similar to a stemless wineglass on its side). It is thought that material in the accretion disk orbiting RMon casts shadows on the nebula, thus accounting for its changing appearance. | |
| Constellation: | Monoceros | |
| Distance: | 2,500 light years | |
| Apparent Size: | 2' x 1' | |
| Date: | 27, 28 january 2006 | |
| Equipment: | 12" RCOS RC, ST10XME, AP1200 | |
| Exposure: | RGB: 150-135-95 minutes | |