In this beautiful celestial still
life composed with a cosmic brush, dusty nebula NGC 2170 shines at
the upper left. Reflecting the light of nearby hot stars, NGC 2170 is joined by other bluish reflection nebulae, a compact red emission region, and streamers of obscuring dust
against a backdrop of stars. Like the common household items still life
painters often choose for their subjects, the clouds of gas, dust, and hot
stars pictured here are also commonly found in this setting - a massive, star-forming molecular cloud in the constellation of
the Unicorn (Monoceros). The giant
molecular
cloud, Mon R2, is impressively close, estimated to be
only 2,400 light-years or so away. At that distance, this canvas would be about
15 light-years across.
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