Constellation: Perseus
RA: 03 28 55.2
DE: +31 22 12
Mag: 10.9 (B)
Size: 9.0'
NGC 1333 is a reflection nebula in Perseus. It lies at a distance of about 1,000 light years at the edge of the huge Perseus OB2 molecular cloud. It is one of the nearest star forming regions and very rich in young stellar objects (YSOs). Most of these are hidden by the dust in the star forming region, but some of these are visible as Herbig-Haro objects. Herbig-Haro objects are collisionally excited nebulae produced by outflows ejected by YSOs. They are produced mainly during the first few hundred thousand years of life of a YSO and are usually highly obscured by the cloud core environment from which they formed.
Here is a recent picture by Belgian amateur astronomer Bart Delsaert:
My notes of this nebula with my 20" on September 14, 2012, read
At first glance I see an oval nebula around a relatively bright star. Closer inspection reveals nebulosity around a close by star. Between these two nebulae I see two stars and some other condensations of nebulosity. I also see the areas containing HH 12, HH 6 and HH 7-11. Very impressive!
The relatively bright star in my notes is HIP 16243 aka BD +30 00549. Furthermore, the nebula around the close by star has designation Bernes 56, the region around HH 12 is also known as Bernes 55 and the region of HH 7-11 bears the designation Bernes 59.
As always,
"Give it a go and let us know!
Good luck and great viewing!"
Reply With Quote