Currently, sci.esa.int is under review and not being updated. For the latest information and news from ESA science missions and scientific results, please visit esa.int. For a comprehensive overview of ESA’s Science Programme and its missions, please refer to science.esa.int. For in-depth technical information aimed at ESA's scientific communities, you may also wish to consult cosmos.esa.int.

Asset Publisher

Back Hubble Heritage Project's First Annivesary. A View of Hubble's Variable Nebula (NGC 2261)

Hubble Heritage Project's First Annivesary. A View of Hubble's Variable Nebula (NGC 2261)


Depicts: NGC 2261, Hubble's Nebula
Copyright: NASA/The Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI)

Hubble's variable nebula is named (like the Hubble telescope itself) after the American astronomer Edwin P. Hubble, who carried out some of the early studies of this object. It is a fan-shaped cloud of gas and dust which is illuminated by R Monocerotis (R Mon), the bright star at the bottom end of the nebula.

Dense condensations of dust near the star cast shadows out into the nebula, and as they move the illumination changes, giving rise to the variations first noted by Hubble.

Last Update: 1 September 2019
16-Apr-2026 05:34 UT

ShortUrl Portlet

Shortcut URL

https://sci.esa.int/s/WLm3g78

Latest Selection

Also Available As

Related Images

Related Videos

Caption & Press Release

Related Publications

Related Links

See Also

Documentation