Flame Nebula

NGC 2024
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Type	Emission
Right ascension	05h 41m 54s
Declination	-1° 51′ 0.0"
Distance	900–1,500 light-years
Apparent magnitude (V)	+2
Apparent dimensions (V)	30'x30'
Constellation	Orion
Physical characteristics
Other designations	NGC 2024 and Sharpless 277
See also: Diffuse nebula, Lists of nebulae
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The Flame Nebula, designated as NGC 2024 and Sh2-277, is an emission nebula in the constellation Orion. It is about 900 to 1,500 light-years away.

The bright star Alnitak (ζ Ori), the easternmost star in the Belt of Orion, shines energetic ultraviolet light into the Flame and this knocks electrons away from the great clouds of hydrogen gas that reside there. Much of the glow results when the electrons and ionized hydrogen recombine. Additional dark gas and dust lies in front of the bright part of the nebula and this is what causes the dark network that appears in the center of the glowing gas. The Flame Nebula is part of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex, a star-forming region that includes the famous Horsehead Nebula.

Gallery

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See also

Media related to Flame Nebula at Wikimedia Commons

• Alnitak (ζ Ori)

External links

• NGC 2024 at Astrophotography
• SIMBAD NGC 2024
• Astronomy Picture of the Day July 13, 1999
• The Flame Nebula on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images

Astronomical catalogs
NGC:	NGC 2022 - NGC 2023 - NGC 2024 - NGC 2025 - NGC 2026

Coordinates: 05^h 41^m 54^s, −01° 51′ 00″