The Orion Nebula (M42) is so named because it lies within Orion the Hunter, a constellation that dominates the winter sky. To find the nebula, look below Orion’s Belt where his sword hangs.

The Orion Nebula is classified as an emission nebula — a cosmic cloud of dust and gas that shines by emitting its own light. Recent studies place its distance at about 1,300 light-years.

The nebula's official name is Messier 42, or simply M42. And if you want to see it for yourself, now's the time. NASA says that the best month for viewing the Orion Nebula is January.

The Orion Nebula, photographed by Richard White at his home in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 13, 2020. Image taken with an 80mm Triplet apochromat refractor. License: CC Attribution-Share Alike 4.0.

Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful objects in the night sky is the Great Orion Nebula, also known as M42, which shines in the southwestern sky in March. Skip to main content.

The Orion Nebula has taught astronomers a great deal about how stars are born and how planetary systems form. Officially called M42, and also known (with a bit more pomp) as the Great Nebula in ...

NASA pointed out, the Mayans called it the "Cosmic Fire of Creation." That’s an appropriate name as it is a stellar nursery.

More (M42 and M43) typically associated with Orion, this reflection nebula is part of the same great molecular cloud complex, and is lined with dust and brilliant blue stars.

The Orion Nebula, or M42 by its Messier designation, is a stellar nursery located 1,340 light years from us. It has a true diameter of about 24 light years and seeing it in a pair of binoculars or ...

The Orion Nebula’s bright core is illuminated by the Trapezium Cluster, young stars that formed 300,000 years ago, ... M42 is loaded with dark nebulae like the famous Horsehead Nebula; ...

The Orion Nebula (M42) and Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) may reign supreme among star-forming regions in the Milky Way, but they pale in comparison to the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070). The Tarantula ...

The Orion Nebula, M42, is the closest and brightest star-forming region visible from Earth, and therefore is one of the most studied. The Orion nebula is about 1,300 light years away, ...