Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Orion (Ori)  ·  Contains:  M 78  ·  NGC 2064  ·  NGC 2067  ·  NGC 2068  ·  NGC 2071
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NGC 2068 (M78) + NGC 2071, Richard Pattie
NGC 2068 (M78) + NGC 2071
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NGC 2068 (M78) + NGC 2071

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
NGC 2068 (M78) + NGC 2071, Richard Pattie
NGC 2068 (M78) + NGC 2071
Powered byPixInsight

NGC 2068 (M78) + NGC 2071

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Description

In the vast Orion Molecular Cloud complex, several bright blue nebulae are particularly apparent. Pictured here are two of the most prominent reflection nebulae (reflection nebulae are dust clouds illuminated by the reflected light of bright embedded stars). The blue tint is due to dust reflecting the blue light of hot, young stars in the region. The more famous nebula is Messier 78, in the image upper half, cataloged over 200 years ago. Below it is the lesser known NGC 2071. Astronomers continue to study these reflection nebulae to better understand how interior stars form. The Orion complex lies about 1,500 light-years distant, contains the Orion and Horsehead nebulae, and covers much of the constellation of Orion. [Source: adapted from APOD]

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NGC 2068 (M78) + NGC 2071, Richard Pattie