This image of the Rosette Nebula, recently taken from Squirrel Valley Observatory in Columbus, seems appropriate for Valentine’s Day. Located approximately 5,000 light years from earth, the Rosette Nebula (Caldwell 49) is an ionized hydrogen cloud located in the Monoceros region of the Milky Way Galaxy. The associated star cluster NGC 2244 is seen near the core of the nebula. 

 

– Submitted by Randy Flynn