| Reflection nebula | |
|---|---|
| Protoplanetary nebula | |
 Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 image of the Red Rectangle Nebula | |
| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 06h 19m 58.2160s[1] |
| Declination | −10° 38′ 14.691″[1] |
| Distance | 2.3 ± 0.3[2] k ly (710 ± 100 pc) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.02[1] |
| Constellation | Monoceros |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | 0.14 ly |
| Designations | HD 44179,[1] RAFGL 915[1] |
The Red Rectangle Nebula, so called because of its red color and unique rectangular shape, is a protoplanetary nebula in the Monoceros constellation. Also known as HD 44179, the nebula was discovered in 1973 during a rocket flight associated with the AFCRL Infrared Sky Survey called Hi Star. The binary system at the center of the nebula was first discovered by Robert Grant Aitken in 1915.
- ^ a b c d e Results for Red Rectangle, SIMBAD, Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg, January 7, 2007
- ^ Men'shchikov, A. B.; Schertl, D.; Tuthill, P. G.; Weigelt, G.; et al. (2002), "Properties of the close binary and circumbinary torus of the Red Rectangle", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 393 (3): 867–885, arXiv:astro-ph/0206189, Bibcode:2002A&A...393..867M, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20020859, S2CID 16779838