Flame nebula facts for kids
Quick facts for kids NGC 2024 |
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Inside the nebula
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| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Type | Emission |
| Right ascension | 05h 41m 54s |
| Declination | +1° 51′ 0.0" |
| Distance | 900 - 1,500 ly |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | +2 |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 30'x30' |
| Constellation | Orion |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | - |
| Absolute magnitude (V) | - |
| Notable features | - |
| Other designations | Sharpless 277 |
| See also: Diffuse nebula, Lists of nebulae | |
The Flame Nebula, also called NGC 2024, is a giant cloud of gas and dust in space. It is found in the Orion constellation, which is easy to spot in the night sky. This nebula doesn't have clear edges, making it look like a wispy flame.
The Flame Nebula is quite far away from Earth. It is about 900 to 1,500 light-years distant. A light-year is the distance light travels in one year, which is a very long way!
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What is the Flame Nebula?
The Flame Nebula is a type of nebula called an emission nebula. This means it glows brightly because of energy from nearby hot stars. The gas in the nebula absorbs this energy and then re-emits it as light.
Part of a Bigger Picture
The Flame Nebula is part of a much larger area in space. This area is known as the Orion complex. The Orion complex is a huge region where new stars are being born. It's like a cosmic factory for stars!
Famous Neighbors
The Orion complex is home to many famous objects. One of its most well-known parts is the Horsehead nebula. You might have seen pictures of it. The Flame Nebula and the Horsehead Nebula are close neighbors in space.
How Does it Glow?
The Flame Nebula glows because of a very bright star nearby. This star is called Alnitak (ζ Ori). Alnitak is the most eastern star in the famous Belt of Orion.
The Role of Alnitak
Alnitak is a very hot and powerful star. It sends out a lot of ultraviolet light. When this light hits the gas in the Flame Nebula, it makes the gas glow. This is similar to how a neon sign works, but on a much bigger scale!
Dark Lanes in the Nebula
Even though the Flame Nebula glows, you can see dark lanes within it. These dark areas are caused by thick clouds of dust. This dust blocks the light coming from behind it, making those parts look dark. These dusty areas are often where new stars are beginning to form.
