NGC 1999

2 ', 0 × 2 ', 0

1500

Milky Way

LBN 979

NGC 1999 is a dusty, almost 1,500 light years away, a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. Because of the shape of the dark cloud he is also known as Keyhole Nebula.

The gas is illuminated by the variable stars V380 Orionis and so also makes the dust structures visible. The nebula is located near the famous Orion Nebula M42.