This is NGC 2024 (NGC is New General Catalgog) also known as the Flame Nebula. This object is about 1350 light years distant and is part of the Orion Nebula Complex. The gas is being ionized by the radiation from a close by large star, Alnitak which is causing it to glow. This picture was the first I've taken with a new telescope, a Celestron 11" Schmidt-Cassegrain. It's native f-ratio is f10 and a focal length of 2800mm. It's 13 exposures that are 7 minutes each in length.
David
Stunning!
Hal Bryan
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KOOL!
So what we're seeing is what it looked like 1350 years ago, that's 663 A.D. I wonder what it will look like in 3363!
Joe
Thanks! Yes, Joe, what we're looking at here is light that left about 1350 years ago and these particular photons were interupted by a 15mmX22mm CCD chip in my camera. I think I know why some mental giants go crazy...trying to grasp the size and time involved with this stuff is just about impossible.
David
Dave,
Despite the time and distance involved, your photo is really the combination of science and art coming together, a natural beauty that speaks to us all.
THX,
Joe
That's a cool photo. Thanks for sharing it along with the details!
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