Emission nebula
The Flame Nebula
Also NGC 2024 · Sh 2-277
A glowing gas cloud beside Alnitak, the eastern star of Orion's belt, crossed by dark lanes of dust.
Measured
- Distance
- 1,314 light-years
- Size
- about 12 light-years across (approximate)
- Constellation
- Orion
- Position (J2000)
- RA 5h 41m 54s, Dec −1.85°
How far, from the Sun
1,310 light-years. To cross it:
- Light1,310 years
- Voyager 1's speed23.3 million years
- Driving at 100 km/h14.2 billion years
Voyager 1 at the speed it moved outward over the year to 2026-10-25 (JPL Horizons). Driving: nonstop, never refuelling.
Facts
- A hidden young star, IRS 2b, has been identified as the source that ionizes it.
- Infrared images reveal hundreds of young stars hidden inside its dust.
How it was found
- William Herschel discovered it in 1786.
Where this comes from
- Kounkel et al. 2018, AJ 156, 84, Gaia DR2 (Orion B 407 ± 4 pc; NGC 2068 417 ± 5 pc; NGC 2024 403 ± 4 pc)
Every catalogue Ouranos draws is credited on the credits page.