NGC 2170 is a reflection nebula in the constellation Monoceros and is 2,700 light-years away. It is part of the star-forming region Monoceros R2, which is embedded in a huge dark cloud of molecular gas and dust. From this region, a group of massive, hot stars can be seen in visible light.

The associated reflection nebulae form where the light of the stars is scattered by parts of the dark outer layers of the molecular cloud. Most of the newborn stars remain hidden because the dense interstellar dust absorbs almost all of the ultraviolet and visible light they emit.

AstroBin