Stargazers Capture Stunning Running Man Nebula Photo

Astrophotographers Bob and Janice Fera took this image of NGC 1973, or the Running Man nebula, on Jan. 2-4, 2013, from Eagle Ridge Observatory in Foresthill, Calif. The Feras used an Officina Stellare RC-360AST 14" f/8 Ritchey Chretien Cassegrain telescope with two-element field flattener to observe nebula. An Apogee Alta U16M CCD camera with Astrodon filters was used to capture the photo. CREDIT: Bob and Janice Fera View full size image

The ethereal strides of the Running Man Nebula come into view in this stunning night sky photo.

Astrophotographers Bob and Janice Fera took this image of NGC 1973, also known as the Running Man Nebula, on Jan. 2 to Jan. 4, from Eagle Ridge Observatory in Foresthill, Calif. The Feras used an Officina Stellare RC-360AST 14" f/8 Ritchey Chretien Cassegrain telescope with two-element field flattener to observe nebula. An Apogee Alta U16M CCD camera with Astrodon filters was used to capture the photo.  

Give Me Some Space 24"x36" Posters. Buy Here
CREDIT: Space.com Store

View full size image

The Running Man Nebula is located roughly 1,500 light years from Earth in the constellation of Orion. A light-year is the distance light travels in one year, or about 6 trillion miles (10 trillion kilometers). It’s a reflection nebula, which mean it doesn't emit any visible light of its own, but rather is illuminated by the light from nearby stars. [50 Amazing Nebula Photos]

Editor's note: If you have an amazing skywatching photo you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, please contact managing editor Tariq Malik at spacephotos@space.com.

Follow SPACE.com on Twitter @Spacedotcom. We're also on Facebook & Google+.