NGC 2244 - Monoceros

NGC2244 - Nebulosa de la Roseta - en la IA

NGC 2244 is a fascinating open cluster of stars embedded within the Rosette Nebula. Here's a breakdown of what makes it interesting:

• What it is: An open cluster of relatively young stars.
• Location: Located within the Rosette Nebula, in the constellation Monoceros.
• Distance: Approximately 5,000 light-years from Earth.
• Age: Estimated to be only a few million years old, making it a very young cluster in astronomical terms.
• Stars: The cluster is composed of dozens of hot, massive stars that formed from the same molecular cloud of gas and dust. These stars are primarily of spectral types O and B, which are very luminous and emit intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• Impact on the Rosette Nebula: The intense UV radiation from the hot stars of NGC 2244 is responsible for ionizing the surrounding gas of the Rosette Nebula, causing it to glow with a characteristic pinkish-red hue (due to the emission of hydrogen-alpha light). The stellar winds from these stars also carve out a cavity in the nebula, shaping its appearance.
• Observation: NGC 2244 and the Rosette Nebula are popular targets for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, as they are relatively bright and visually appealing through telescopes, especially when using narrowband filters to enhance the contrast of the nebula.

In summary, NGC 2244 is a cluster of young, hot stars whose energetic output is responsible for illuminating and shaping the iconic Rosette Nebula.