Deep Sky Object in Winter
Hubble's Variable Nebula (NGC2261 in Monoceros)

Click on image to enlarge

Date & Time: Nov 22 2003, from 26:30 to 26:48 JST(+0900)
Composed 3 shots with 8 minutes exposed
Optical: Meade 25cm(10") Schmidt-Cassegrain with conversion lens (f=1600mm, F6.3)
Auto-guided with Meade LX200 Equatorial & Pictor 201XT
Digital Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro
Location: Ooizumi vil., Yamanashi pref.

Camera Settings: Recording Format...12bit CCD-RAW, converted to 16bit TIFF(3024×2016)
CCD Sensitivity...ISO1600, White Balance...Auto


NGC2261 / Reflection Nebula, type 1 E+R
R.A.06h 39m 12.0s (2000.0)
Dec.+08° 43' 59" (2000.0)
Apparent Size2.0'
Real Size0.4 light yrs.
Magnitude-
Distance650 light yrs.
Other IDsLBN920
A tiny reflection nebula of NGC2261 is positioned at 1 degree SW of nebulosity NGC2264 around the northern region of the Monoceros. NGC2261 is reflecting the light of "R Mon" at the southern edge of the nebula. R Mon changes in magnitude from 11 to 13, and the nebula itself changes the brightness with the variable star. The nebula has a famous nickname of "Hubble's variable nebula".
The nebula has an apparent figure like a flame being spread toward north. You can appreciate the bluish white light like this picture through scopes.



Barnard's Loop to Rosette Nebula
NGC2264 & Corn Nebula

Copyright(c) 2003 by Naoyuki Kurita, All rights reserved.
To top page To Deepsky in Winter index Monoceros