NGC 1999 is a nebula located in the constellation Orion at around 1500 light years from the Earth. It is an example of Reflection nebula which means it glows because of the light from an embedded source which illuminates its dust. The reflection nebula does not emit light of its own unlike other Nebulas like Tarantula, which is one of the brightest Nebulas.
Now you might think how does it shine? Well the answer to this question is that there is a variable star, V380 Orionis. A variable star is the one whose brightness changes with time. This star is located at the center of this nebula. The light from the star illuminates the dust of the nebula which makes it shine. The star is white in color due to its high temperature of about 10,000 degrees Celsius. Its mass is 3.5 times that of the Sun. The star is so young that it is still surrounded by the cloud of material, left over from its formation. Near its center you can see a dark cloud resembling a letter T tilted. It is an example of Bok globule. Bok globule itself is a dark nebula containing dense dust and gas from which star formation may take place. In the Hubble image, you can see the Bok globule as a black cloud near the center of NGC 1999. Astronomers believe that new stars may be forming inside this Bok globule through the contraction of gas and dust under their own gravity. NGC 1999 was discovered by Sir William Herschel and his sister Caroline.