NGC 2023

NGC 2023 is an emission and reflection nebula in the equatorial constellation of Orion. It was discovered by the German-born astronomer William Herschel on 6 January 1785. This reflection nebula is one of the largest in the sky,[4] with a size of 10 × 10 arcminutes.[3] It is located at a distance of 1,300 ly (400 pc) from the Sun, and is positioned ~15′ to the northeast of the Horsehead Nebula.[2]

NGC 2023
Reflection nebula
emission nebula
NGC 2023 next to the Horsehead nebula
Observation data: J2000 epoch
Right ascension05h 41m 37.9s[1]
Declination−02° 15′ 52″[1]
Distance1,300 ly (400 pc)[2] ly
Apparent dimensions (V)10'×10'[3]
ConstellationOrion[3]
DesignationsNGC 2023,[3] LBN 954, IRAS 05391-0217[1]

This star-forming nebula forms part of the Orion B molecular cloud,[2] or Lynds 1630, and is located in the northern section of this complex. In terms of stellar density, it is the poorest of the four clusters embedded in the cloud complex, with only 21 embedded infrared sources.[5] The reflection nebula is illuminated by the Herbig Ae/Be star HD 37903, which has a spectral class of about B2 Ve.[5] The region around the central star is radiating fluorescent molecular hydrogen emission at a near-infrared range.[6][7] Infrared emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been detected from the nebula's dust.[8]

  • NGC 2023 taken with the VLT's FORS.
    NGC 2023 taken with the VLT's FORS.
  • Southern detail of NGC 2023 (HST ACS)
    Southern detail of NGC 2023 (HST ACS)

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to NGC 2023.
  1. "NGC 2023". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  2. López-García, M. A.; et al. (February 2013). "A comprehensive study of NGC 2023 with XMM-Newton and Spitzer". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 429 (1): 775–791. arXiv:1211.2935. Bibcode:2013MNRAS.429..775L. doi:10.1093/mnras/sts373.
  3. Seligman, Courtney. "NGC Objects: NGC 2000 - 2049". cseligman.com. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  4. "ESO's Very Large Telescope Snaps Beautiful Image of Reflection Nebula". Sci–News. May 14, 2019. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  5. Mookerjea, B.; et al. (December 2009). "Young stars and protostellar cores near NGC 2023". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 507 (3): 1485–1502. arXiv:0909.2614. Bibcode:2009A&A...507.1485M. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/200912550. S2CID 10603379.
  6. Burton, Michael G.; et al. (1998). "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.
  7. Rouan, D.; et al. (January 1997). "The power of adaptive optics: a close look at a molecular cloud in NGC 2023". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 284 (2): 395–400. Bibcode:1997MNRAS.284..395R. doi:10.1093/mnras/284.2.395.
  8. Peeters, Els; et al. (February 2017). "The PAH Emission Characteristics of the Reflection Nebula NGC 2023". The Astrophysical Journal. 836 (2): 40. arXiv:1701.06585. Bibcode:2017ApJ...836..198P. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/836/2/198. S2CID 119211134. 198.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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