A `True Colour' JHK Composite of the Star Forming Region in Monoceros-R2

The image below shows a `true colour' composite of the star forming region in Monoceros R2. The image was combined from J-, H- and K-band images. The individual mosaics in the three bands were observed with UFTI in November 1998, and comprise nine 60 second exposures per field, per waveband.

The blue source near the centre of the image is an optically visible source. The `yellow' star just below it is IRS 1, while the red source above it is IRS 2. The region to the left is IRS 3, which is currently in the process of high mass star formation. Note the varying colouration of the shell material in the central region, thought to be a blister HII region being powered by IRS 1.