images

Orion nebula and horsehead nebula

by

R.Gendler/Novapix

Reference

a-neb19-76506

Date

2007-01-18

This large complex of nebulosity is located about 1,500 light years away in Orion. The Orion complex is a gigantic stellar nursery where stars are forming out of the dust and gas in the region. The brightest star in the photo at left is Alnilam, the middle star of the three distinctive stars in the belt of Orion. Bottom left is the Flame nebula, NGC 2024, and to its right is dark nebula B33, the Horsehead Nebula. Above at right is a patch of blue reflection nebulosity NGC 1973-4-5 and the beautiful Orion Nebula, M 42.