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Credit & Copyright: Daniel Verschatse
(Antilhue Obs.)
Explanation:
In the vast
Orion Molecular Cloud complex,
several bright blue nebula are particularly apparent.
Pictured above are two of the most prominent
reflection nebulas --
dust clouds lit by the
reflecting light of bright-embedded stars.
The more famous nebula is
M78,
on the upper right, cataloged over 200 years ago.
On the lower left is the lesser known
NGC 2071.
Astronomers continue to
study
these
reflection nebulas to better understand how interior stars form.
The Orion complex
lies about 1500 light-years distant, contains the
Orion and
Horsehead Nebulas,
and covers much of the
constellation of Orion.
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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: Orion - dust - reflection nebula
Publications with words: Orion - dust - reflection nebula
See also: