NGC 1977, NGC 1975, NGC 1973 - AKA THE RUNNING MAN NEBULA COMPLEX

 EMISSION AND REFECTION NEBULA IN ORION (THE HUNTER)

(Image centered at: ra 05h:35 m / dec - 04º 47')

November 2025, Observatorio Cielos Albertnos, Buenos Aires, Argentina

DATA

TYPE: Reflection and Emission Nebula

APPARENT DIAMETER:  40 x 25 arc minutes

APPARENT MAGNITUDE (V): 7

DISTANCE: 1500 to 1600 light years

IMAGE INFORMATION

INSTRUMENT: Orion Optics UK 6" Newtonian with Ultra Grade Optics working at f 4.5

CAMERA: QHY 183 Mono Camera

MOUNT: Vixen GPDX with SkyWatcher motors drive. Guided off axis with QHY 5-II Mono Camera 

FILTERS: Optolong LRGB Set & Antlia Ha 3mn

SKY CONDITIONS: Bortle 3 skies

OBJECT DESCRIPTION AND IMAGE SESSION

NGC 1977 is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion, also known as the "Running Man Nebula" due to its appearance. It is part of a larger nebula complex, Sh 2-279, which includes the nebulae NGC 1973, NGC 1975, and NGC 1977, and is located approximately 1,500 to 1,600 light-years from Earth. The nebula reflects light from nearby stars and is a star formation region, with its delicate colors coming from the mix of reflected and emitted light from gas and dust. It is a reflection nebula, meaning it shines by the reflecting light of nearby stars rather than producing its own light. The colors seen in images come from the interaction of starlight with the gas and dust in the nebula.

NGC 1977 was first discovered by William Herschel in 1786, who cataloged it as H V 30. The other two nebulae in the complex, NGC 1973 and NGC 1975, were discovered by Heinrich Louis d'Arrest in 1862 and 1864.