This object is considered to be one of the most unusual nebulas in the galaxy. HD44179 lies in Monoceros about 2300 ly away.

It is a planetary nebula commonly called the “Red Rectangle”. The overall “X” structure to it is due to the outflow of gas and dust in opposing directions from its center.

The red color is traced to molecules in the dust that emit light in the red portion of the spectrum caused by hydrocarbons that form in the cool outflow from the object.

The Hubble actually shows this exotic object to have 2 stars in its center, orbiting each other every 10 months.

PlaneWave 12.5″ Astrograph with ZWO ASI 6200 camera, Astrodon filters and ASA gearless DDM-85 mount. F/5 LRGB (15x3min L, 6/3min RGB, all 2×2 bin).