The Rosette Nebula NGC2237
NGC 2237 is located in the constellation Monoceros   The nebula is a large wreath-like emission nebula surrounding the open star cluster NGC 2244.  The bright red color is from the ionization of hydrogen gas illuminated by the young hot central stars.  At a distance of 2600 light years the rosette nebula is one of the largest known nebulas in our galaxy.  The dark lanes result from obscuring dark matter in front of the nebula.    Because of its large surface area the Rosette Nebula is difficult to see through a telescope.  The combination of a very dark sky, a large telescope, and a UHC filter will bring out the detail of this nebula.

Photographic Information:
Instrument:   Astro-physics 5" refractor
Exposure Time:   Two separate photographs 70 minutes each
Film:   PPF 400
Guiding:   Celestron 80mm guide scope with an ST-4 CCD auto-guider.
Date:   December 1998
Location:   Lyons Colorado, 5500 feet elevation.