A Cosmic Rose in the Winter Sky - The First Image Published from Dr. Gopal Krishna Kunwar Observatory.
The Rosette Nebula, also known as Caldwell 49, is a vast cloud of gas and dust located in the Monoceros constellation, about 5,000 light-years away from Earth. This celestial marvel spans an area roughly 130 light years in diameter, showcasing the intricate dance between cosmic creation and destruction. Its name, derived from its rose-like appearance, belies the turbulent processes within, where stars are born from its gaseous folds.
The Rosette Nebula is not just a single entity but a complex of star-forming regions, including a massive central cluster known as NGC 2244. The radiation from these young, hot stars excites the surrounding gas, causing it to glow in stunning hues of red and pink, reminiscent of rose petals. This phenomenon provides a unique window into the early stages of star life cycles, offering clues about the formation of solar systems like our own.
The Rosette Nebula is an active stellar nursery, where new stars are born from the dense clouds of gas and dust. The heart of the nebula is home to the open cluster NGC 2244, whose stars were formed from the nebula's material about 4 million years ago. These stars are young, hot, and massive, significantly influencing the nebula's structure and illumination. The central stars of NGC 2244 emit powerful stellar winds and radiation, which have cleared the center of the nebula, creating its distinctive hollow appearance. These processes not only shape the nebula but also trigger the formation of new stars by compressing the surrounding gas. Within the Rosette Nebula, various structures can be observed, including globules, pillars, and bow shocks. These features, shaped by the interaction of stellar winds and radiation with the nebula's material, provide insights into the complex processes of star formation and nebular evolution.
Equipment Details:
Equatorial Mount: iOptron CEM40
Telescope: William Optics Gran Turismo 71mm ED APO Refractor
Camera: ZWO ASI294MC Pro
Filters: Dual narrowband Optolong L-Extreme filter
Other gear: ZWO EAF, ZWO ASIAIR Plus
Stacking and Pre-Processing: ZWO ASI Studio Deep Stacking
Post Processing: Siril, Adobe Photoshop
Calibration frames: 84 x 90s Lights, 30 x 90s Darks
Camera settings: 390 Gain, 2C
