The hidden fires of the Flame Nebula (full frame)

This VISTA image shows the spectacular star-forming region known as the Flame Nebula, or NGC 2024, in the constellation of Orion (the Hunter) and its surroundings. In views of this evocative object in visible light the core of the nebula is completely hidden behind obscuring dust, but in this VISTA view, taken in infrared light, the cluster of very young stars at the object’s heart is revealed. The wide-field VISTA view also includes the glow of the reflection nebula NGC 2023, just below centre, and the ghostly outline of the Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) towards the lower right. The bright bluish star towards the right is one of the three bright stars forming the Belt of Orion. The image was created from VISTA images taken through J, H and Ks filters in the near-infrared part of the spectrum. The image shows the full area of the VISTA field and is one degree by 1.5 degrees in extent. The total exposure time was 14 minutes.

Credit:

ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA. Acknowledgment: Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit

About the Image

Id:eso0949n
Type:Observation
Release date:11 December 2009, 11:30
Related releases:eso0949
Size:12564 x 15283 px

About the Object

Name:Flame Nebula, NGC 2024
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
Distance:1500 light years
Constellation:Orion
Category:Nebulae

Image Formats

Large JPEG
58.0 MB
Screensize JPEG
405.1 KB

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282.1 KB
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1600x1200
625.1 KB
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2048x1536
972.4 KB

Coordinates

Position (RA):5 41 42.73
Position (Dec):-1° 54' 43.66"
Field of view:71.50 x 86.97 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 10.1° left of vertical