This interstellar canine is formed of cosmic dust and gas interacting with the energetic light and wind s from hot young stars. The shape, visual texture, and color, combine to give the region the popular name Fox Fur Nebula . The characteristic blue glow on the left is dust reflecting light from the bright star S Mon , the bright star just below the top edge of the featured image . Textured red and black areas are a combination of the cosmic dust and reddish emission from ionized hydrogen gas. S Mon is part of a young open cluster of stars, NGC 2264 , located about 2,500 light years away toward the constellation of the Unicorn ( Monoceros ).
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Media Credits & Attribution
Image Credit & Copyright: John Vermette