31/12/2025
Dates: 2025-12-15+16+17+26+28
Total exposure time integration: 13 hours 20 minutes.
Distance: 5200 light years from Earth.
Size: 130 light years across.
There are around 2500 young stars in the Rosette Nebula, with a lot of star forming activity still present. Overall, the Nebula is thought to be about 10,000 times more massive than our sun! The Rosette Nebula is sometimes also called 'The Skull Nebula' (it does also resemble a human skull), however it is mostly famous for looking like a beautiful Rose. So much so that in 2019, Oklahoma in the USA (who have Oklahoma Roses), named the Rosette Nebula their official state Astronomical object.
This target is particularly special to me, as our family farm I grew up on was called Oklahoma. And we had an Oklahoma rose bush at the front door of our farm house that my father was given for his 50th birthday. So it's definitely a target I've enjoyed and had been eagerly awaiting!
I hope you think it's as awesome as I do!
