February 14, 1996
Long before your first heartbeat, stars were busy forging the elements you would one day call your own.
NGC 2237: The Rosette Nebula
Birthday · February 14, 1996
A little universe, just for you
Your date.
Ready to give.
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APOD published February 14, 1996. Full image credits are on the original APOD entry below. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
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.