NGC 2023

NGC 2023
Reflection nebula
emission nebula
NGC 2023 next to the Horsehead nebula
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension 05h 41m 37.9s[1]
Declination −02° 15′ 52″[1]
Distance 1467.7 ly   (450 pc)
Apparent dimensions (V) 10'×10'[2]
Constellation Orion[2]
Designations NGC 2023,[2] LBN 954,[1] VDB 52, [XT95] 6, GN 05.39.1.02, RAFGL 806, [NYS99] C-23, IRAS 05391-0217, RX J0541.8-0217, [RK68] 38
Southern detail of NGC 2023 (HST ACS)

NGC 2023 (also known as LBN 954[1]) is an emission and reflection nebula located in the constellation of Orion. It was discovered by William Herschel on 6 January 1785. Its size in the night sky is 10 × 10 arcminutes.[2] At a distance of 1467 light-years (450 parsecs) from Earth, it is located close to the Orion Nebula.[3][4]

The region emits fluorescent molecular hydrogen emission at near-infrared range.[5] It is four light-years in diameter,[4] making it one of the largest reflection nebulae ever discovered. It is illuminated by the B1.5 star HD 37903, the most luminous member of the stars in the Lynds 1630 molecular cloud.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "SIMBAD query result for NGC 2023". SIMBAD Astronomical Database. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "NGC Objects: NGC 2000 - 2049".
  3. ↑ "Sunset glow in Orion". NASA. 25 July 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 "Astronomy Photo of the Day (APotD): 11/07/14 — NGC 2023". 7 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
  5. ↑ "Near-IR Fluorescent Molecular Hydrogen Emission from NGC 2023". Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia. 15 (2): 194–201. Bibcode:1998PASA...15..194B. doi:10.1071/AS98194.

Coordinates: 05h 41m 37.9s, −02° 15′ 52″


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