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Explanation: Roses are red, nebulas are too, and this Valentine's gift is a stunning view! Pictured is a loving look at the Rosette Nebula (NGC 2237): a cosmic bloom of bright young stars sitting atop a stem of glowing hot gas. The roseÁs blue-white speckles are among the most luminous stars in the galaxy, with some burning millions of times brighter than the Sun. Their stellar winds sculpt the famed rose shape by pushing gas and dust away from the center. Though only a few million years old, these massive stars are already nearing the end of their lives, while dimmer stars embedded in the nebula will burn for billions of years to come. The vibrant red hue comes from hydrogen gas, ionized by the ultraviolet light from the young stars. The roseÁs blue-white center is color-mapped to indicate the presence of similarly ionized oxygen. The Rosette Nebula reminds us of the beauty and transformation woven into the fabric of the universe.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Rosette Nebula - NGC 2237
Publications with words: Rosette Nebula - NGC 2237
See also:
- APOD: 2025 July 16 Á The Rosette Nebula from DECam
- APOD: 2025 June 17 Á Rosette Nebula Deep Field
- A Cosmic Rose: NGC 2237 in Monoceros
- APOD: 2024 February 14 Á Rosette Deep Field
- When Roses Aren t Red
- APOD: 2023 February 6 Á In the Heart of the Rosette Nebula
- NGC 2244: A Star Cluster in the Rosette Nebula