The Flame Nebula, also known as NGC 2024, is a stunning star-forming region in the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. It is illuminated by the bright star Alnitak, the easternmost star of Orion’s Belt. The nebula’s distinctive red color in optical images is due to ionized hydrogen gas, while dark bands of dust create its flame-like appearance. The Flame Nebula is a popular target for astrophotographers due to its proximity to the famous Horsehead Nebula and its striking visual features.
Names and Catalog numbers
- Flame Nebula
- NGC 2024
- Sh2-277
Position and the cosmic neighborhood
The Flame Nebula is part of the Orion B molecular cloud within the larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. It is located near the bright star Alnitak, which is part of Orion’s Belt. The nebula shares its celestial neighborhood with other famous objects, including the Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) and the reflection nebula NGC 2023. This region is rich in star-forming activity and is a treasure trove for astrophotographers capturing wide-field images of Orion’s Belt area.
Nice to Know
- The Flame Nebula contains a young open star cluster with about 800 members, 86% of which still have circumstellar disks.
- Infrared observations have revealed numerous young stars and protostars hidden within the nebula’s thick dust clouds.
- The nebula has been imaged by various telescopes, including ESO’s VISTA and NASA’s WISE, providing stunning views at different wavelengths.
- X-ray observations with the Chandra X-ray Observatory have revealed several hundred young stars emitting high-energy radiation within the nebula.
Brightness, distance and size
The Flame Nebula has an apparent magnitude of 10, making it a relatively bright deep-sky object. It is located approximately 900 to 1,500 light-years away from Earth, with recent estimates placing it around 1,350 light-years distant. The nebula has a radius of about 6 light-years, which translates to an apparent size of roughly 30 arcminutes in the night sky, making it a sizable target for astrophotography.
