NGC 1999

If you were "knocking on Heaven's door.." then this might be the keyhole you could peer through. The bright star in the center of this nebula is V380 Orionis and the entire complex is just south of the much more famous Orion Nebula. V380 Orionis is a very young variable star. Its natal clouds of gas and dust still surround it. The blue color indicates much of the light in this region is being strongly scattered (like the blue daytime sky) instead of glowing red like much of the rest of the field. The dark keyhole-like structure is a very thick cloud of dust (and gas) that totally blocks the light of the illuminated region behind it. This kind of dark cloud is often called a "Bok Globule"- named after the late University of Arizona astronomer Bart Bok. Bok Globules are thought to harbor proto-stars that may burst forth into full-fledged suns soon.

This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center during 2014.