Flame Nebula - NGC 2024

NGC 2024, the Flame Nebula, is an emission nebula located near Zeta Orionis (Alnitak), the easternmost star in Orion the Hunter's belt. The nebula is uncharacteristically orange. A young star cluster is hidden by the dense gas lane which divides the Flame Nebula in two. Most images show odd blue reflections in Alnitak's neighborhood because of its brightness. My image showed a very ugly offset "SCT donut" around Alnitak that I cropped out. NGC 2024 is a great candidate for the new Tak. It's a poor target for visual observers thanks to Alnitak.

Flame Nebula NGC 2024
(Click image to enlarge)

Object Details:

Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Orion
Distance: 1400 light-years
Size: 11 light-years

Image Details:

Date: Oct. 19, 2003
Site: Harahan, LA
Exposure: CCD, 6 x 2 min.
Filters: Orion SkyGlow LPR
Processing: MSB Astroart 3.0
Telescope: 10" Meade LX200
Reducer: Meade, f/3.3
CCD: Starlight Express MX7C
Autoguider: S.T.A.R. 2000