NGC 2174, the Monkey Head Nebula, is a restless cradle of newborn stars sculpted
from glowing hydrogen and shadowy dust in the constellation Orion, about 6,400 light-years
from Earth. Spanning roughly 40 light-years, this H II emission nebula is carved into towers
and caverns by intense ultraviolet radiation and stellar winds from hot young stars.
Their light ignites hydrogen gas in soft reds and pinks and oxygen in a blue glow,
while dark dust traces intricate, smoke-like patterns that suggest the profile of a
cosmic face gazing back across space.

Image data:
Telescope: Takahashi 106
Camera: ZWO ADI6200MM
Exposure 4 hours 45 minutes (RGB 25 minutes each; Ha 90 minutes; OIII 120 minutes)