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NGC 2244, Paul Porto
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NGC 2244

NGC 2244, Paul Porto
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NGC 2244

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Description

NGC 2244, also known as the Rosette Nebula, from Bortle 1 skies at Kodachrome State Park in south-central Utah. 
  • Nebula Formation: NGC 2244 is a large star-forming region within the Milky Way galaxy. It formed around 5 million years ago when a massive molecular cloud collapsed under its gravity, giving birth to numerous new stars.
  • Often referred to as a "stellar nursery" because it contains a cluster of young, hot stars. These stars, known as the Rosette Cluster, were formed from the gas and dust within the nebula.
  • Approximately 5,200 light-years from Earth, making it relatively nearby in astronomical terms.
  • Spans a region of about 130 light-years across, making it one of the largest emission nebulae in our galaxy. Its distinctive shape resembles that of a rose or a flower, which gives it its name.
  • Ionization: The intense radiation emitted by the young, massive stars in NGC 2244 causes the surrounding gas to become ionized, resulting in the nebula's characteristic reddish glow. The ionization is responsible for exciting the hydrogen atoms in the nebula, which then emit light in the visible spectrum.
  • Stellar Winds and Sculpting: The powerful stellar winds and radiation from the central stars in NGC 2244 have sculpted the surrounding gas and dust into intricate structures, creating fascinating features such as pillars, ridges, and cavities.

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NGC 2244, Paul Porto

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Nebulae