The Rosette Nebula over Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona

The Rosette Nebula lies 5000 light years away off the left shoulder of the constellation Orion in Monoceros. This emission nebula’s center hole is formed by the stellar wind of the younger stars in the central open cluster, that looks like a staircase. The nebula glows due to the ultraviolet light from these stars. This faint nebula requires very dark skies to be found in a small telescope, and those conditions are found at Chiricahua National Monument. These dramatic stone pillars touch the sky in Southeastern Arizona.