Hubble's Variable Nebula
Also known as NGC 2261
Hubble's Variable Nebula is a reflection nebula in the constellation Monoceros, about 2,610 light-years from Earth.
Fan-shaped nebula in Monoceros that changes over weeks as shadows cross it
Facts
| Type | Reflection nebula (spectral type B8IIIe) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Monoceros |
| Position (J2000) | 6h 39m 09s, +8° 44′ |
| Distance | 2,610 light-years (its light set off about 2,610 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 11.85 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 2′ × 1′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Filter | No filter (It shines by reflected starlight, which a nebula filter would dim.) |
| Studied in | 528 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Hubble's Variable Nebula is highest in the sky at midnight in December. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 79° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 49°. To see it you need a small telescope.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Monoceros
- Christmas Tree Cluster
- Cone Nebula
- M50 (NGC 2323)
- Red Rectangle
- Red Rectangle Nebula
- Rosette B (NGC 2246)
- Rosette Nebula
- Seagull Nebula
Everything in Monoceros · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits