February 2012
The objects we image are governed by the time of the year and for February, they could include the following (with thanks to Kevin Davey, without whose research, I would not have been able to plagiarise the info):
- NGC 2244 and the Rosette Nebula. NGC 2244 is a
cluster of stars in the centre of a huge gaseous nebula, The
Rosette, from which they formed. UV emissions from these hot, young
O and B spectral type stars are ionising the hydrogen atoms which
glow strongly in the red part of the spectrum. This complex nebula
also includes NGCs 2237, 2238, 2239 and 2246 all situated in
Monoceros at about 5,500ly distant.
- NGC 2264 (The Christmas Tree Cluster) and The Cone
Nebula is another gas nebula and star cluster region in
Monocerus. The young stars in The Christmas Tree are causing
surrounding hydrogen gas to glow red while some blue light is
scattered is scattered towards us by dust just beyond them. Dark
lanes are also apparent where dusty lying between the stars and
Earth absorbs light. The objects are around 2,700ly distant.
- NGC 2437, NGC 2438 (M46). This open cluster is very rich, containing over 500 stars and is seen to be lying on a background of many other Galactic stars. Overlaid upon, but not part of the cluster, M46 is a Planetary Nebula which should be visible in most images. The cluster is located in Puppis at 5,400ly distant.
To get full info and to meet the 'guys & gals', simply come to any of our meetings or contact David Jenke whose details appear
on the last page of The Bulletin.