M78


       M78 Nebula 

NGC 2068 (also known as M78) is a reflection nebula in the Orion
constellation. Hot young stars in the nebula's center illuminate and
(to a much lesser extent) ionize the surrounding gas. Further out,
dark clouds of dust prevent much of the scattered light from reaching
us, creating a complex pattern of light and shadow.  This star-forming
region is only about 100,000 years old.

(12.0 arcmin x 8.8 arcmin image)
Image credit: SDSS Collaboration Image
distributed by: Fermilab Visual Media Services