Messier 78 or M78, also known as NGC 2068, is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and included by Charles Messier in his catalog of comet -like objects that same year.

2024年8月25日 · M78 was discovered in 1780 by Charles Messier’s colleague Pierre Méchain. It is best seen in January. M78 can be found in binoculars and small telescopes, but telescopes 8 inches or larger will reveal more detail in the nebula. M78 has the distinction of appearing very comet like, with one side of the nebula flaring away like a comet’s tail.

2024年5月23日 · This breathtaking image features Messier 78 (the central and brightest region), a vibrant nursery of star formation enveloped in a shroud of interstellar dust. This image is unprecedented – it is the first shot of this young star-forming region at this width and depth.

M78 and its environs look deceptively sparse through a telescope, but the conspicuous dark expanse between M78 and NGC 2071 hints at hidden depths to this region. Infrared telescopes can peer through this veil, revealing nascent star clusters concealed by the obscuring dust.

2015年8月1日 · Messier 78 (M78) is a reflection nebula located in the northern constellation Orion, the Hunter. M78 is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula in the sky. It has an apparent magnitude of 8.3 and lies at an approximate distance of 1,600 light years from Earth. It has the designation NGC 2068 in the New General Catalogue.

M78 is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula of a group of nebulae that includes NGC 2064, NGC 2067 and NGC 2071. This group belongs to the Orion B molecular cloud complex and is about 1,350 light-years distant from Earth. M78 is easily found in small telescopes as a hazy patch and involves two stars of 10th and 11th magnitude.

Messier 78 (M78), a fascinating reflection nebula, is one of the brightest nebulae in the night sky. Located in the constellation Orion, M78 offers amateur astronomers a striking view of cosmic dust illuminated by the glow of nearby stars.

2023年11月21日 · Messier 78 is a dark diffuse reflection nebula in the constellation of the hunter, Orion. It is very close to Messier 42 (The Orion Nebula) and IC 434 (The Horsehead Nebula). M78 is the brightest diffuse reflection in the night sky and looks great when photographed with a telescope, but can also be captured wide-field using a camera and lens.

Messier 78 (NGC 2068), the brightest reflection nebula in the night sky, is to be found above the stars that form Orion’s Belt in the constellation of Orion. In rural areas, under a dark and clear night sky, M78 is one of the few reflection nebulae that can even be detected with binoculars.

2024年5月23日 · This breathtaking image features Messier 78 (the central and brightest region), a vibrant nursery of star formation enveloped in a shroud of interstellar dust. This image is unprecedented – it is the first shot of this young star-forming region at this width and depth.