This object captures a series of reflection nebulae located in the constellation of Monoceros at a declination of -6 degrees. NGC 2185 is the reflection nebula at center, while NGC 2183 is the smaller reflection nebula slightly to the right. Cederblad 71 is the reflection nebula on the left edge of the image.
As with most reflection nebulae, the exact distance is hard to confirm. The bright young star at the center of NGC 2185 appears to be about 2800 light years away. At that distance, this image field of view covers a width of 20 light years.
This field of view is rarely imaged and looks like a dim copy of the much more popular
NGC 2170 (Angel Nebula), which lies only 1 degree away. I like the subtle orange and blue colors of the nebula, which compliments the flowing dark dust lanes throughout.
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