NGC 2023

NGC 2023
NGC 2023 picture created from multiple images taken with the Wide Field Camera of Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys.
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Type	Reflection and Emission
Right ascension	05h 41m 37.9s[1]
Declination	−02° 15′ 52″
Distance	1467.7 ly
Apparent dimensions (V)	10′x10′
Constellation	Orion
Physical characteristics
Other designations	NGC 2023 , LBN 954, VDB 52, [XT95] 6, GN 05.39.1.02, RAFGL 806, [NYS99] C-23, IRAS 05391-0217, RX J0541.8-0217, [RK68] 38
See also: Diffuse nebula, Lists of nebulae
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The reflection nebula NGC 2023 is in the constellation Orion. It is one of the brightest sources of fluorescent molecular hydrogen, and at 4 light-years wide it is one of the largest in the sky. It is powered by the B star (B1.5) HD 37903, the most luminous member of a cluster of young stellar objects illuminating the front surface of the Lynds 1630 molecular cloud (Barnard 33) in Orion B.

NGC 2023 forms a cavity in the surface of the cloud, some 450 parsecs from Earth. It produces a bright visual reflection nebula and an ultraviolet-excited photodissociation region. It is about a third of a degree from the Horsehead Nebula and is often included (but not indicated) in images of that object.

Gallery

• 

  South part of NGC 2023 by HST, 3′ view

External links

• NGC 2023 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images

Astronomical catalogs
NGC:	NGC 2021 - NGC 2022 - NGC 2023 - NGC 2024 - NGC 2025

Coordinates: 05^h 41^m 37.9^s, +02° 15′ 52″

References

1. ^ "SIMBAD query result for NGC 2023". SIMBAD Astronomical Database. http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=NGC+2023. Retrieved 25 July 2011.