Stunning Hubble Space Telescope image of Hubble's Variable Nebula (NGC 2261), a reflection nebula in Monoceros. Its appearance changes over weeks due to opaque dust clouds orbiting the central star R Monocerotis, casting shifting shadows. The nebula is approximately one light-year across and located about 2500 light-years away.

Astronomy Picture from 08/11/2017

NGC 2261: Hubble's Variable Nebula

Source: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap171108.html


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