                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                              2026 February 14

                                Roses are Red
                 Image Credit & Copyright: Raffaele Calcagno
         Text: Keighley Rockcliffe (NASA GSFC, UMBC CSST, CRESST II)

   Explanation: Roses are red, nebulas are too, and this Valentine's gift
   is a stunning view! Pictured is a loving look at the Rosette Nebula
   (NGC 2237): a cosmic bloom of bright young stars sitting atop a stem of
   glowing hot gas. The rose’s blue-white speckles are among the most
   luminous stars in the galaxy, with some burning millions of times
   brighter than the Sun. Their stellar winds sculpt the famed rose shape
   by pushing gas and dust away from the center. Though only a few million
   years old, these massive stars are already nearing the end of their
   lives, while dimmer stars embedded in the nebula will burn for billions
   of years to come. The vibrant red hue comes from hydrogen gas, ionized
   by the ultraviolet light from the young stars. The rose’s blue-white
   center is color-mapped to indicate the presence of similarly ionized
   oxygen. The Rosette Nebula reminds us of the beauty and transformation
   woven into the fabric of the universe.

                       Tomorrow's picture: flying free
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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                             & Michigan Tech. U.

