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Credit & Copyright: Terry Hancock
(Down Under Observatory)
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 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 nebulas 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.
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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: M 42 - Orion Nebula
Publications with words: M 42 - Orion Nebula
See also: