File: Messier 78 Behind Barnard’s Loop.jpg
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Summary
| Description |
English: == Summary ==
Deep mosaic of Messier 78 and Barnard's Loop (Orion Molecular Cloud). This is a two-panel deep mosaic of one of the most colourful reflection nebulae in the sky — Messier 78 — located about 1,500 light-years away in the constellation Orion. The nebula lies just northeast of Orion’s Belt and is one of the brightest diffuse reflection nebulae, visible to the naked eye under dark skies. The field is crossed by the giant arc of H-alpha emission known as Barnard’s Loop. Nearly 17 hours of H-alpha exposure were added to reveal the faint, extended filaments that span the entire frame. At the centre of M78 lie the bright stars HD 38563A and HD 38563B, whose illumination reflects off dense clouds of gas and dust, producing the characteristic blue glow. Variations in colour throughout the region are caused by complex patches of obscuring dust, which redden the starlight. Several Herbig–Haro objects appear as small reddish patches, particularly in the upper right, tracing jets from newly formed young stars. Faintly visible is McNeil’s Nebula, discovered by amateur astronomer Jay McNeil in 2004. The nebula is illuminated by a variable young stellar object undergoing episodic outbursts, making it appear and disappear over time. It is absent in most historical images except one taken in 1966. Messier 78 is part of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex, which includes the Orion Nebula (M42/M43), the Horsehead Nebula, the Flame Nebula, Barnard’s Loop, and the Orion OB1 association of massive young stars. Technical details
* H-Alpha: 1005 min * L: 775 min * R: 155 min * G: 150 min * B: 145 min * Total: 39 h 40 min @ –25°C
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| Date | |
| Source | Own work |
| Author | Hwy37 |
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| Date/Time | Thumbnail | Dimensions | User | Comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| current | 17:40, 11 December 2025 | | 4,793 × 3,283 (5.14 MB) | wikimediacommons>Hwy37 | Uploaded own work with UploadWizard |
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