NGC 1914
Stellar cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NGC 1914 (also known as LH 40) is a compact stellar association and emission/reflection nebula located in the constellation of Mensa. It lies within the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), approximately 160,000 light-years from Earth. It was discovered by John Herschel on November 3, 1834.[1][2]
| Nebula | |
|---|---|
| |
| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 05h 17m 37.00s[1] |
| Declination | −71° 15′ 0.0″[1] |
| Distance | 160,000 ly |
| Constellation | Mensa |
| Designations | NGC 1914, LH 40, KMHK 732[1] |
Observation
The central cluster is compact and contains several O- and B-type stars that ionize the surrounding gas, producing vivid Hα emission. The nebula displays a highly structured, labyrinth-like appearance with numerous dark dust lanes, knots, and faint diffuse extensions. One prominent dark nebula within the object has a distinctive seahorse shape, leading amateur astronomers to nickname the entire complex the Labyrinth Nebula.[3]
