Sharpless 252 (Sh2-252)& NGC 2175

Common Name: Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174)

Also Known as: NGC 2174, Cr 84 (NGC 2175)

Object Type: Emission Nebula (NGC 2174) and Open Cluster (NGC 2175)

Constellation: Orion

Distance from Earth: 6,400 light years (NGC 2174) ... 6,350 light years (NGC 2175)

Apparent Magnitude: 6.8 (both)

Coordinates: RA 08H 09.7M 0S DEC 20 deg 30 min 0.0 sec

Actual Size: 74.5 light years (NGC 2174), 33 light years (MGC 2175)

Apparent Dimensions: 40 arc-minutes (NGC 2174) ... 18 arc-minutes (NGC 2175)

Discovered by: NGC 2174 was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodiema in 1654. NGC 2175 was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654 and independently discovered by Karl Christian Bruhns in 1857

Description: NGC 2174 is an Hii emission nebula located in the constellation Orion and is associated with the open cluster NGC 2175.
The nebula may have formed through hierarchical collapse.
Open Cluster NGC 2175 is an open cluster embedded in a diffuse nebula.
NGC 2174 is a shining patch of nebulosity in the far northern reaches of Orion forming a shape that roughly approximates a head seen in profile.
This is a star-forming region whose central parts are lit from within by a cluster of newly formed stars usually designated NGC 2175.
Glowing gas and dust does not survive well in the Monkey Head Nebula.
Young stars near the center of the nebula generate stellar winds and high energy radiation that causes the Nebula’s material to shift into complex shapes.
The nebula is primarily composed of hydrogen which glows at infrared wavelengths due to radiation.
The prime source of energy in the nebula is the massive, hot star named HD 42088, which is outside the Hubble image field. This star has a mass 30 times that of the Sun and a surface temperature 6 times greater. Such stars emit extraordinary amounts of ultraviolet radiation. The high-energy particles in these stars' outer atmospheres are being blown away in high-speed "stellar winds." The ultraviolet radiation causes the nebula to shine. In combination with the stellar wind, this radiation also causes the nebula to expand.
Dust and gas are being evaporated and scattered by the energy from the hot star. Where there is a very dense condensation, a pillar is formed pointing toward the star, because the knot shields the material behind it.

Click Below Image(s) for Full Size:

The best time to observe NGC 2174 and NGC 2175 is the winter months when Orion is high in the sky.

Platesolve

NGC 2174 Nebula and NGC 2175 Open Cluster

Imaging Details
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