NGC 2261

NGC 2261
Reflection nebula
Variable Nebula
An image of NGC 2261 by the Hubble Space Telescope
Credit: HST/NASA/JPL/Judy Schmidt
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Right ascension6h 39m 10s[1]
Declination+8° 45′[1]
Distance2,500 ly
Apparent magnitude (V)9.0
Apparent dimensions (V)2′
ConstellationMonoceros
Physical characteristics
Radius~0.5 ly
DesignationsHubble's Variable Nebula,[1] Caldwell 46
See also: Lists of nebulae

NGC 2261 (also known as Hubble's Variable Nebula or Caldwell 46) is a variable nebula located in the constellation Monoceros. The nebula is illuminated by the star R Monocerotis (R Mon), which is not directly visible itself.

  1. ^ a b c "NGC 2261". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2007-04-11.