And the related object M43 is an extension of the glowing gas of M42, cut off from it visually by a dark lane of dust. Beyond M43 lies the fainter Running Man Nebula (NGC 1973/5/7).

M43 is part of the much larger Orion Nebula complex, and it lies roughly 10′ north of M42. This section features a hot, bright star (center) that is ionizing the gas near it.

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It will provide students with a broad foundational background in astronomy in preparation for graduate studies in astronomy or astrophysics. The minor is interdisciplinary and offered jointly by the ...