This season might be the perfect time to try to see one of the prettiest sights in the night sky.
Winter is the best time to spot the Rosette Nebula, a beautiful star-forming region 5,000 light-years from Earth. Also called the Skull Nebula, it is known for its vibrant color and distinctive shape.
While it’s possible to see the nebula with the naked eye, it’s far more difficult to spot than closer deep-space sights like the Orion Nebula, which has been well-documented throughout history. To properly see the Rosette Nebula, you’ll need to use a telescope that can look a little farther into space.
To find it, stargazers should look toward the constellation Monoceros (the unicorn) under dark skies. Amateur astronomers offer detailed instructions for those who want to capture an image of the nebula.
From Portland, observations might be best in the middle of January, and with clear night skies in the forecast, the conditions couldn’t be better.