Dark Energy Camera Captures Stunning Image of Rosette Nebula

The high-resolution image reveals the vibrant colors and intricate details of the star-forming region located 5,000 light-years away.

The image was taken by the 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera (DECam) mounted on the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope in Chile.
The Rosette Nebula, spanning 130 light-years, is located in the constellation of Monoceros and is visible in the northern hemisphere's winter sky.
At the heart of the nebula is the young star cluster NGC 2244, which ionizes surrounding gases, causing them to glow in vivid red, gold, and pink hues.
The image highlights various features including 'elephant trunks,' dark clouds of dust, and Bok globules, which may contain nascent stars or brown dwarfs.
Astronomers predict that in about 10 million years, the nebula will dissipate, leaving behind the cluster of stars formed within it.