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Reflection nebula

Hubble's Variable Nebula

Also NGC 2261 · Caldwell 46

Open in Ouranos

A fan of dust lit by the young star R Monocerotis; the fan changes in brightness and shape over weeks.

Measured

Distance
2,609 light-years
Constellation
Monoceros
Position (J2000)
RA 6h 39m 10s, Dec +8.74°

How far, from the Sun

2,610 light-years. To cross it:

  • Light2,610 years
  • Voyager 1's speed46.4 million years
  • Driving at 100 km/h28.2 billion years

Voyager 1 at the speed it moved outward over the year to 2026-10-25 (JPL Horizons). Driving: nonstop, never refuelling.

Facts

  • It was the first object photographed with the Palomar 200-inch telescope, in 1949.
  • Edwin Hubble studied its changes, hence the name.

Where this comes from

  • Manoj et al. 2006, ApJ 653, 657 (800 pc)
  • This research has made use of the SIMBAD database, CDS, Strasbourg, France (Wenger et al. 2000, A&AS 143, 9).
  • This research has made use of the VizieR catalogue access tool, CDS, Strasbourg, France (DOI: 10.26093/cds/vizier).

Every catalogue Ouranos draws is credited on the credits page.