This emission nebula is located about 1,400 light-years away in the constellation Orion . Also known as NGC 2024 and Sh2-277, the Flame Nebula is about 12 light-years across.
It was discovered by the British astronomer William Herschel on January 1, 1786.
"The Flame Nebula is a part of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex, which includes such famous nebulae as the Horsehead Nebula and the Orion Nebula," comment the Hubble astronomers.
At the center of the nebula is a cluster of more than 800 stars , most of which are very young stellar objects. "The new Hubble image focuses on the dark and dusty heart of the nebula, where the star cluster resides, mostly hidden from view," the astronomers said.
Hubble measured the mass of stars in the cluster while searching for brown dwarfs, a type of faint object that is too hot and massive to be classified as a planet, but also too small and cool to shine like a star .
Reference: Hubble / NASA / ESA / N. Da Rio, University of Virginia / Gladys Kober, NASA & Catholic University of America.
