M42: A Mosaic of Orion's Great Nebula . ... Credit Copyright: C. O'Dell and S. Wong ( Rice U. ), NASA Explanation: The Great Nebula in Orion , an immense, nearby starbirth region, is probably the most famous of all astronomical nebulae. ... In addition to housing a bright open cluster of stars known as the Trapezium , the Orion Nebula contains many stellar nurseries . These nurseries contain hydrogen gas, hot young stars , proplyds , and stellar jets spewing material at high speeds. ...