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Credit & Copyright: Thomas V. Davis
(tvdavisastropix.com)
Explanation:
Interstellar
dust clouds and glowing nebulae abound in the fertile
constellation of Orion.
One of the
brightest,
M78, is centered in this colorful,
wide field view, covering an area
north of Orion's belt.
At a distance of about 1,500 light-years, the
bluish reflection nebula is
around 5 light-years across.
Its tint is due to dust
preferentially
reflecting the blue light
of hot, young stars.
Reflection nebula NGC 2071 is just to the left of M78.
To the right of M78 and much more compact in appearance,
the intriguing McNeil's Nebula is a recently
recognized variable nebula
associated with
the formation of a sun-like star.
The remarkably deep exposure also brings out the region's faint but
pervasive reddish glow of atomic hydrogen gas.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: reflection nebula - emission nebula
Publications with words: reflection nebula - emission nebula
See also:
- APOD: 2024 March 13 Á The Seagull Nebula
- APOD: 2024 February 21 Á Seagull Nebula over Pinnacles Peak
- NGC 1893 and the Tadpoles of IC 410
- The Light, the Dark, and the Dusty
- APOD: 2023 December 13 Á Deep Field: The Heart Nebula
- APOD: 2023 October 30 Á Reflections of the Ghost Nebula
- The Ghosts of Gamma Cas