Explanation:
The Great Nebula
in Orion, also known as M42, is one of the
most famous nebulas in the sky.
The star forming region's glowing gas clouds and hot young stars
are on the right in this sharp and colorful image that includes the smaller
nebula M43
near center and dusty, bluish reflection nebulae
NGC 1977 and friends on the left.
Located at the edge of an otherwise invisible
giant molecular
cloud complex,
these eye-catching nebulae represent only a small
fraction of this galactic neighborhood's wealth of
interstellar material.
Within the well-studied stellar nursery, astronomers have also
identified what appear to be numerous
infant planetary systems.
The gorgeous skyscape spans nearly two degrees or about 45
light-years
at the Orion Nebula's estimated distance of 1,500 light-years.
APOD Retrospective:
The Orion Nebula
