Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Orion (Ori)  ·  Contains:  IC 426
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IC 426, Gary Imm
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IC 426

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IC 426, Gary Imm
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IC 426

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Description

This object is a reflection nebula located 1300 light years away in the constellation of Orion at a declination of 0 degrees. The main nebula is about 6 arc-minutes long, which at that distance corresponds to an actual length of 2 light years.

Based on the lighting around the nebula edges, it looks to me as if this nebula is being primarily illuminated by Alnilam (the middle star of Orion's belt), which is also about 1300 light years away. Alnilam is off image to the top. For some reason, sources suggest that the likely star is Mintaka (the right hand star in Orion's belt), which is much closer to us at 700 light years away. Mintaka is off image to the left.

I like how the nebula looks primarily light blue, but the middle is a dusty brown and some of the edges approach purple in color.

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IC 426, Gary Imm

In these collections

Reflection Nebulae