Group 5, Abram J. Rodriguez, Matthew Toman
To find the density of hydrogen atoms in the flame nebula we first recorded its angular size, making sure to start from the center and avoiding spires. After that we looked up the distance to the Flame Nebula we used the SMF to find the physical radius of the object, which turned out to be 1.9 parsecs. We then searched the object up in stellararium and cross referenced stars of certain spectral types, specifically counting O, A, B spectral type stars. We then added up their photons/s. After that, we calculated the number density of ionized hydrogen in the Flame Nebula to be 56 atoms per cubic centimeter with an error of 31 atoms per cubic centimeter.
Below is a picture of the flame nebula. The picture was kind of difficult to get because of how grainy it became. It tried many different techniques but this was the best we were able to get. The very bright star makes it hard to get a good quality exposure. That star is also what makes the nebula bright since it is energizing the atoms and causing them to enter a higher energy state.
