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Rosetta Nebula

Caldwel 49 (nebula) / Caldwel 50 (star cluster)

NGC Designations:
NGC 2237        Part of  nebula (often used to specify the whole nebula)
NGC 2238        Part of nebula
NGC 2239        Part of nebula (discovered by John Herschel)
NGC 2244        Star cluster at the center of the nebula
NGC 2246        Part of nebula

This emission nebula (C49) is about 5000 light years away and about 50 light years accross. The star cluster at the centre of the nebula (C50 or NGC 2244) formed from this molecular cloud. Note the black globules and columns of gas and dust at the top right of the nebula. These are likely to form stars in the future. Massive young stars are responsible for the radiation pressure that has eroded the gas to form these columns of gas and dust.

For larger images see Rosetta-2102x2090 (scaled to 2xbinning)

Date 3rd & 4th January 2010
Telescope 250mm F4.8 Newtonian Reflector with MPCC coma corrector
Filter 12nm H-alpha (Astronomik)
Exposure (seconds) H-alpha, 6 frames: Used 6x600s for all frames except for the bottom right: 3x600s + 4x180s unguided
Software MaximDL, CCDStack