Monoceros R2 Click here for a larger-format image

This figure was constructed from near-infrared J, H and K band images of the high mass star forming region in Monoceros R2. Young stars embedded in dusty gas cores appear red or orange; foreground, main-sequence stars appear blue. An extensive, nebulous ring or "torus" surrounding this region is also seen in scattered light. The data were obtained using UFTI in mediocre conditions. Thanks to the MAX team from the MPIA (in Heidelberg) who allowed us to reduce their data and produce this image.