The Monoceros Loop, a very faint supernova remnant framed by the well known Rosette and Cone Nebulae, lies at a distance of about 5000 light years from Earth. Astronomers estimate than the supernova creating this Loop exploded approximately 100,000 years ago. The span of expanding gas is currently about 350 light years across and is progressing across interstellar space at about 100,000 miles per hour, creating many opportunities for new star birth in that region.

This 3 pane mosaic was stitched together using the improved Photomerge feature found in Adobe Photoshop CS3. This method of generating mosaics is far easier and much more seamless than the older method of combining images with the Free Transform function and adjusting the individual panes with Curves and Brightness to affect smooth transitions.