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De Mairan's Nebula

M43, NGC 1982

Proper NameDe Mairan's Nebula
Messier NumberM43 (associated with M42, the Orion Nebula)
NGC/IC NumberNGC 1982 (associated with NGC 1976)
ConstellationOrion
Right Ascension5h 35m 31s
Declination-5° 16' 12"
Distance1,300 light years
400 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +9.0
Absolute: +0.3
DimensionsApparent: 20' x 15'
Actual diameter: 10 light years
Associated Star(s)NU Orionis
Optimum VisibilityDecember / January
NotesThis small nebula represents a northern part of the larger Orion Nebula (M42), divided from the main body of that nebula by a dark lane of dust. A further line of dust, the M43 dark lane, runs from north to south across the eastern face of De Mairan's Nebula.

Closely associated with the Orion Nebula (M42), M43 is a bright nebula in its own right, illuminated by a blue dwarf star, NU Orionis.

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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