Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Orion (Ori)  ·  Contains:  LBN 938  ·  LBN 939  ·  M 78  ·  NGC 2064  ·  NGC 2067  ·  NGC 2068  ·  NGC 2071  ·  VdB59  ·  VdB60
M78 in HaRGB, Joel Shepherd
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M78 in HaRGB

M78 in HaRGB, Joel Shepherd
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M78 in HaRGB

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Description

M78 is a near neighbor of the Great Orion Nebula (M42), and like M42 is a star-forming region of the galaxy, 1340 light-years give or take from planet Earth. A little less than half the size of M42 -- 10 light years across versus 24 or so -- M78 is also primarily a reflection nebula, whereas M42 has both reflection and emission components. In other words, M78 is primarily illuminated by starlight bouncing off the dust and gas that comprise the nebula (like sunlight illuminating the moon by reflection), whereas much of M42's light is generated by excited, glowing gasses stimulated by ultraviolet radiation from powerful nearby stars.

Within M78, infrared observations have revealed more than 190 newly formed stars, and a further 45 young stars that are slowly contracting: the stellar equivalent of growing up.

Composed of a little more than 6 hours of exposures taken in early January, plus 3 additional hours from mid-December.

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M78 in HaRGB, Joel Shepherd