Nearby observing targets

Orion is home to many interesting stargazing targets alongside the Orion Nebula

Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33)

Magnitude: +6.8 Approximate distance

from Earth: 1,500 light years

Right ascension: 05h 40m 59s Declination: -02° 27’ 30”

The Horsehead Nebula is a tricky target to track down, but it’s not impossible to find with a good telescope. The nebula can be found just south of the easternmost star in Orion’s Belt. The shape of the nebula is forged by radiation from the surrounding stars. The nebula is only visible because the dust is silhouetted against a brighter nebula.

De Mairan’s Nebula (Messier 43)

Magnitude: +9.0 Approximate distance

from Earth: 1,300 light years

Right ascension: 5h 35m 31.8s Declination: -5° 17’ 57”

Only separated from the Orion Nebula by a dark lane of dust, this was revealed to be a distinct nebula by French astronomer Jean-Jacques d’Ortous de Mairan in 1731. Astronomers refer to De Mairan’s Nebula as a miniature Orion Nebula because of its small size. The nebula is shaped by just one star, whereas the Orion Nebula is shaped by four.

The Flame Nebula (NGC 2024)

Magnitude: +2.0 Approximate distance

from Earth: 1,354 light years

Right ascension: 05h 41m 54s Declination: -01° 51’ 00”

Close to the Horsehead Nebula you can find the impressive

Flame Nebula, an emission nebula home to a few hundred young stars. The stars within the nebula vary quite considerably in age – those close to the centre are approximately 200,000 years old, while stars on the outskirts are estimated to be around 1.5 million years old.