Rosette Nebula in 60 Seconds
Narrator (April Hobart, CXC): This spectacular
image shows the Rosette star formation region,
which is located about 5,000 light years from
Earth. X-rays from the Chandra X-ray Observatory
reveal hundreds of young stars clustered in
the center of the image and additional fainter
clusters on either side. Optical data from
the Digitized Sky Survey and the Kitt Peak
National Observatory show large areas of gas
and dust, including giant pillars that remain
behind after intense radiation from massive
stars has eroded the more diffuse gas. The
combination of the X-ray and optical data
lead astronomers to believe that stars are
still forming in the central cluster of the
Rosette, known as NGC 2237. Astronomers are
also using these data to piece together the
history of this gorgeous region. The Rosette
Nebula has long been a favorite target of
amateur astronomers in the constellation the
Unicorn. The wispy colorful structures in
the optical data can sometimes be seen by
small telescopes from the ground here on Earth.
