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Orion's Running Man Nebula
Orion's Running Man Nebula

Often overlooked in its proximity to the fabulous bright and famous Orion Nebula (M42) is a wonderful large complex of HII region and reflection nebulae, comprising Sharpless catalog entry Sh2-279. Located in Orion?s Sword asterism, it is found 0.6 degrees north of M42. Find it by crossing the dark nebulae behind the M42?s superb Trapezium then across the comma shape of M43.

Orion's Running Man Nebula

Known as the Running Man Nebula, three main sections of nebulosity surround the ionizing stars 42, 45 and KX Orionis, all with dark channels that highlight the bright sections. This excellent photo by Steve Peters show the bright stars illuminating the nebulae, and dark channels:

Orion's Running Man Nebula

A sketch by German observer Uve Glahn shows the great amount of detail that can be viewed in a large amateur telescope:

Sketch of Eskimo Nebula by Bertrand Laville

Image courtesy of Uve Glahn. Used by permission

Discovered in 1786 by William Herschel, this area of HII emission and bright nebulae was catalogued as NGC 1977 when he noted ?I returned to the c's Orionis [1 and 2 c Orionis], and the stars about them; and found them as suspected involved in very visible, and unequally bright milky nebulosity. I am pretty sure this joins to the great nebula [M42]."

Current notable observer Steve Gottlieb using a 13.1? reflector recorded "Extensive bright field of nebulosity including NGC 1973 and NGC 1975, very large, elongated ~E-W. Involves several bright stars including 42 Orionis (V = 4.7) and 45 Orionis (V = 5.3). Irregular and detailed with detached segments. Extends north and south beyond 42 Orionis. Located north of M42 and south of the bright cluster NGC 1981."

The two other entries comprising the Running Man along with NGC 1977, NGC 1973 and NGC 1975 were discovered after Herschel by Heinrich Louis d'Arrest in 1862 and 1864.

Part of the greater Orionis 1 complex, this section was referenced as Ori R2 by van den Bergh in 1966. It sits approximately 1500 light years distant at an integrated magnitude of 7.0, with a much dimmer surface brightness over its 40x25 arc-minutes size.

You will likely find this a subtle, wispy glowing area that reveals itself more fully using averted vision techniques. Its Messier Catalog neighbors and nice open cluster (NGC 1981) make this an easy choice for a more challenging object.

Details
Date Taken: 12/30/2022
Author: Mark Wagner

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