Red Rectangle Nebula
| Reflection nebula | |
|---|---|
| Protoplanetary nebula | |
Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 image of the Red Rectangle Nebula | |
| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 06h 19m 58.2160s |
| Declination | −10° 38′ 14.691″ |
| Distance | 2.3 ± 0.3 k ly (710 ± 100 pc) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.02 |
| Constellation | Monoceros |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | 0.14 ly |
| Notable features | Closest known Protoplanetary Nebula from Earth |
| Designations | HD 44179, RAFGL 915 |
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.