The Rosette Nebula, usually designated as NGC 2237, is a huge cloud of hydrogen
which glows due to radiation from the young (born around 4 million years ago) cluster
of stars which have formed in its center. That star cluster (NGC 2244) has blown away
the gas from the middle of this region. The dark lanes and spots (called Bok Globules)
are areas of contracting gas and dust, the first stages of new star formation.
The Rosette Nebula is about 5000 light years away, and 100 light years across. In is
found in the constellation Monoceros, though it is difficult to see without very dark
skies and special filters. It also covers a large area in the sky, about twice the diameter
of the full moon.

Image Data:
Camera: Olympus OM-1
Film: Ektachrome 1600
Exposure: 10 minutes, manually guided
Telescope: LXD-55 10" Schmidt-Newtonian