Flame Nebula Radiography, or Feel Superman

In this magnificent photograph, the Flame Nebula (aka NGC 2024) stands out in the optical range, which is surrounded by dense gas and dust clouds that are regions of active star formation. Do not miss the opportunity to contemplate it in the "X-ray".



Thanks to the X-ray and infrared images taken by the Chandra and Spitzer space telescopes, we have the opportunity to overcome the barrier of ionized gas and dense layers of cosmic dust and look inside NGC 2024.
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The super-infrared X-ray layer extends for 15 light-years, passing through the center of the Flame and revealing a multitude of recently formed stars between 200,000 and 1.5 million years old. All this splendor unfolds at a distance of 1,400 light years from Earth in the direction of the Belt of Orion.

The photo also shows the famous Horsehead Nebula, which, together with the Flame Nebula and several other objects, are part of the vast cloud of Orion.

^{Image rights: Optical: DSS; Infrared: NASA / JPL-Caltech; X-ray: NASA / CXC / PSU / K.Getman, E.Feigelson, M.Kuhn & the MYStIX team. Based on APOD}