NGC 2024
| Emission nebula | |
|---|---|
| File:Ngc2024 med.jpg NGC 2024 | |
| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 05h 41m 54s |
| Declination | +1° 51′ 0.0" |
| Distance | 900 ± 1,500 ly ly |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | ?? |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 30'x30' |
| Constellation | Orion |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | - ly |
| Absolute magnitude (V) | - |
| Notable features | - |
The Flame Nebula, designated as NGC 2024, is in the Constellation Orion. It is about 900 to 1,500 light-years away.
The bright star Alnitak(ζOri), 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.