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Credit & Copyright: Stephan Messner
Explanation:
Interstellar
dust clouds and bright nebulae abound in the fertile
constellation of Orion.
One of the
brightest,
M78, is just below center in
this sharp widefield view,
covering an area north of
Orion's belt.
At a distance of about 1,500 light-years, the
bluish nebula itself
is about 5 light-years across.
Its blue tint is due to dust
preferentially
reflecting the blue light
of hot, young stars in the region.
Dark dust lanes and other nebulae can easily be traced
through this gorgeous skyscape that
also
includes the remarkable
McNeil's Nebula -- a newly
recognized nebula
associated with
the formation of a sun-like star.
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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: nebula - reflection nebula
Publications with words: nebula - reflection nebula
See also:
- APOD: 2026 February 2 Á Orion: The Running Man Nebula
- NGC 1333: Stellar Nursery in Perseus
- APOD: 2026 January 28 Á M78: Reflecting Blue in a Sea of Red
- APOD: 2026 January 19 Á CTB 1: The Medulla Nebula
- NGC 7023: The Iris Nebula
- APOD: 2025 September 19 Á The NGC 6914 Complex
- APOD: 2025 March 18 Á LDN 1235: The Shark Nebula