Running Man Nebula

May 17, 2018

RunningManNGC1977_RC8_DSACumeada-net (1)

Photographer: Miguel Claro 
Summary Author: Miguel Claro 

The Running Man Nebula featured above at center was observed from the Cumeada Observatory, in Dark Sky Alqueva, Portugal. Referred to as NGC 1977, but popularly known as the Running Man Nebula, it's comprised of three nebulae; NGC 1973, NGC 1975, and NGC 1977. This complex is associated with Orion’s giant molecular cloud (The Great Nebula or M42), approximately 1,500 light-years away. The Running Man is found just half a degree north of this bright stellar nursery from our perspective.

Discovered by William Herschel in 1786, the Running Man suggest to many the shape of a man sprinting, with his huge arms in motion. His form is laced with faint red emission from hydrogen atoms and surrounded by a blue reflection region. Photo taken on March 18, 2018.

Photo Details: Nikon D810a camera; GSO RC8 F/8, 1624mm; Ritchey-Chrétien Astrograph Carbon Fiber Telescope; ISO 2000; 300 seconds x 16 lights exposure; Mount EQ6 Pro; total integration of 16 Lights - 80 minutes. Processing on PixInsight 1.8 and Photoshop CC. Taken from the Cumeada Observatory in the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal.