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| M78, Diffuse nebula (NGC2068 ) cropped and downsized to fit screen |
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M78 is one of
the brighter diffuse reflection nebulae. It belongs to the Orion complex, a
large cloud of gas and dust and nebulae surrounding the Orion constellation,
and centered on the Orion Nebula
M42.
Along with the others, it is about 1,600 light years distant, with M78
itself
measuring almost 4 light years in extension.
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A
reflection nebula is a cloud of interstellar dust which shines from the
reflected and scattered light of bright blue stars. In this area a number of
bright new stars have been forming, mostly obscured by the dark cold
material in front of it, but the radiation from them has blasted out an
opening into the area that is reflecting their light. M78 is located about 1.5-2 degrees NE of Alnitak, the easternmost star of Orion's Belt. In a small or medium scope, M78 resembles a faint comet, with it's two central stars identifying the core and the rest looking like the nebulosity of a broad comet. |
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10" F6.3
Schmidt Cassegrain reflector, Modified Canon 300D at Prime focus |