Messier 78

Processing 2024:

Messier 78, a reflection nebula in Orion, lies about 1,600 light years away. This bluish nebula consists of dust and gas from the Orion molecular cloud, where new stars are forming. Its characteristic colour comes from the scattering of the blue light of the stars behind it. Under a dark sky, Messier 78 is already visible to the naked eye.

Nearby, part of Barnard’s Loop can be seen, an emission-nebula system in the Orion complex. This arc is the remnant of a supernova explosion about 2 million years ago. Although not directly connected to Messier 78, these objects complement each other very well photographically.