NGC 2261
| Reflection nebula | |
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| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Subtype | variable nebula |
| Right ascension | 6h 39m 10s[1] |
| Declination | +8° 45′[1] |
| Distance | 2,500 ly |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.0 |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 2′ |
| Constellation | Monoceros |
| Designations | Hubble's Variable Nebula,[1] Caldwell 46 |
NGC 2261 (also known as Hubble's Variable Nebula or Caldwell 46) is a variable nebula located in the constellation Monoceros. It is illuminated by the star R Monocerotis (R Mon), which is not directly visible itself.
NGC 2261 was imaged as Palomar Observatory's Hale Telescope's first light by Edwin Hubble on January 26, 1949,[2] some 20 years after the Palomar Observatory project began in 1928. Hubble had studied the nebula previously at Yerkes and Mt. Wilson.[2]
One explanation proposed for the variability is that dense clouds of dust near R Mon periodically block the illumination from the star.[3]
See also
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to [[commons:Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]. |
- European Homepage for the HST – Hubble photos and information on NGC 2261
- wikispaces.com – Images by amateur astronomers
- NGC 2261 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images
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