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M78

NGC 2068

Reflection Nebula in Orion

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Proper Name	None
Messier Number	M78
NGC/IC Number	NGC 2068
Constellation	Orion
Right Ascension	5h 46m 46s
Declination	+0° 4' 45"
Distance	c.1,400 light years c.400 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +8.30 Absolute: +0.21
Dimensions	Apparent: 8' x 6' Actual: 3.2 light years
Optimum Visibility	December / January
Notes	M78 is one of a string of reflection nebulae running through central Orion, the result of stars and clusters illuminating segments of the otherwise dark Orion Molecular Cloud. M78 contains a group of young stellar objects, including a binary pair of blue stars, HD 38563, which is the primary source of the light reflected by M78.

M78 is part of a chain of bright and dark nebulae running through the region northeastward of Orion's Belt, and forming part of the extensive Orion Molecular Cloud. Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

A nebula in the constellation of Orion. It lies a little to the north of Orion's Belt, but is too faint to be detected with the naked eye. It is formed by a cloud of glowing gases encasing a newly-emerged cluster of stars.

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