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Credit & Copyright: Daniel McCauley
Explanation:
In the vast Orion Molecular Cloud complex,
several bright blue nebulas are particularly apparent.
Pictured here in the center 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,
in the image center, cataloged over 200 years ago.
To its upper left is the lesser known
NGC 2071.
Astronomers continue to
study these
reflection nebulas to
better understand how interior stars form.
The overall red glow is from diffuse
hydrogen gas
that covers much of the
Orion complex
that spans much of the
constellation of Orion.
Nearby in the
greater complex,
which lies about 1,500
light years away, are the
Orion Nebula,
the Horsehead Nebula, and
Barnard's Loop --
partially seen here as the white band on the upper left.
Almost Hyperspace:
Random APOD Generator
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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 78 - Orion - reflection nebula
Publications with words: M 78 - Orion - reflection nebula
See also:
- APOD: 2026 March 2 Á The Dusty Surroundings of Orion and the Pleiades
- APOD: 2026 February 18 Á Orions Cradle
- APOD: 2026 February 2 Á Orion: The Running Man Nebula
- NGC 1333: Stellar Nursery in Perseus
- APOD: 2026 January 27 Á Orions Treasures over Snowy Mountains
- LDN 1622: Dark Nebula in Orion
- NGC 7023: The Iris Nebula