NGC 1999 is a small bright reflection Nebula (the central small blue object) often called the Key Hole due to the shape of the empty patch in the center. Astronomers are still researching how a complete void came about in the middle of the nebula.
NGC 1999 is surrounded by large clouds of ionized Hydrogen gas as well as regions of Oxygen III.
Imaged on our RiDK 400 in LRGB at Obstech, Chile.
Integration Time: 36 hours
Image Processing: Mike Selby