Would the Rosette nebula by any other name look as sweet ? The bland New General Catalog designation of NGC 2237 doesn't appear to diminish the appearance of the this flowery emission nebula . Inside the nebula lies an open cluster of bright young stars designated NGC 2244. These stars recently formed from the nebular material and their stellar “wind” has cleared a hole in the nebula's center, insulated by a layer of dust and hot gas . Ultraviolet light from the hot cluster stars causes the surrounding nebula to glow.
Media Credits & Attribution
Credit: The Electronic Universe Project