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NGC 2261

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NGC 2261
Reflection nebula
An image of NGC 2261 by the Hubble space telescope.
Credit: HST/NASA/JPL.
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Subtypevariable nebula
Right ascension6h 39m 10s[1]
Declination+8° 45′[1]
Distance2,500 ly
Apparent magnitude (V)9.0
Apparent dimensions (V)2′
ConstellationMonoceros
DesignationsHubble's Variable Nebula,[1] Caldwell 46
See also: Lists of nebulae

NGC 2261 (also known as Hubble's Variable Nebula or Caldwell 46) is a variable nebula located in the constellation Monoceros. The nebula 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

  1. ^ a b c "SIMBAD Astronomical Database". Results for NGC 2261. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  2. ^ a b http://365daysofastronomy.org/2009/01/26/january-26-60th-anniversary-of-hale-telescope-first-light/
  3. ^ "A model for the cometary nebula NGC 2261". SAO/NASA ADS Astronomy Abstract Service. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
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