The V1647 Orionis (IRAS 05436-0007) Protostar and Its Environment

We present Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and United States Naval Observatory (USNO) observations of the V1647 Ori protostar and its surrounding field near NGC 2068. V1647 Ori, the likely driving source for HH 23, brightened significantly in 2003 November. Analysis of SDSS imaging acquired in 1998 November and 2002 February during the quiescent state, recent USNO photometry, and published Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) and Gemini data show that the color changes associated with brightening suggest an EX Lupi type (EXor) outburst rather than a simple dust-clearing event.