NGC 2023

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]
See also: Lists of nebulae

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]

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]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference simbad was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference López-García2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference ngc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference scinews2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Mookerjea2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference 1998Burton was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rouan1997 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Peeters2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).