NGC 1977/75/73. The New General Catalog designations for this beautiful nebula are unclear in my Uranometra Star Atlas. It appears the designation NGC1977 refers to the nebula itself. NGC1975 refers to the reflection nebula just visible at the top of the photo and NGC1973 is the designation for the nebulosity involved with the variable star Kx Orionis.

NGC1977 is known as the Running Man Nebula. The red Emission Nebula within the midst of the blue Reflection Nebula has the appearance of a person running.

NGC1977 resides in the constellation Orion. It and M42, The Great Orion Nebula make up the middle "star" in Orion's sward. Not very impressive visually, NGC1977 is absolutely beautiful in long exposure astrographs.

Look at my Great Orion Nebula (M42) photograph shot at 1,280mm to see the relationship between M42 and NGC1977.

• Type: Emission/Reflection Nebula
• Distance From Earth: 1,500 Light Years
• Exposure Length: (1) x 1hr 37min (1) x 45min Digitally Combined
• Focal Length: 2,000mm @ f/10
• Guiding: ST-4 AE= A5
• Film: Hypersensitized RG200
• Date: 21DE01

Additional Photographic Notes: My original plan for this object was a digital stack of (2) 2hr shots. Both exposures were interrupted by passing clouds. This shot was taken on the longest night of the year.