Star-forming nebula, M42

Orion Nebula

The nearest big stellar nursery, visible to the naked eye as the fuzzy middle star of Orion’s sword. Thousands of stars are being born inside it.

Drive there in 3D Could we live inside the Orion Nebula? Ask Elon

Distance: 1,344 light years
Width: 24 light years
Lit by: The Trapezium stars
Age: ~2 million years

Gas

Hydrogen 90%
Helium 9%
Oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, carbon 1%

Glowing gas lit by young stars: red from hydrogen, teal from oxygen, threaded with dark dust

Measured by emission-line spectroscopy (Hubble, JWST)

Nearby in the guide