ORION'S SWORD - NGC 1977,  MESSIER OBJECT 42 and IOTA ORIONIS

A closer look at what appears to be three distinct stars to the unaided eye, reveals the extensive nebulosity within this part of the constellation Orion. I prefer to describe this region as the "jewel encrusted scabbard" instead of the sword or dagger itself.

NGC 1977 - A blue reflection nebula also known as "the running man" for the pattern created by some voids and dark lanes within this gaseous cloud. Can you see the runner?

M42-THE ORION NEBULA  A diffuse nebula approximately 1,500 light years away in the constellation Orion. Composed of hydrogen and helium gas and dust, the nebula is an active region of star formation. This glowing cloud is illuminated by the radiation of the stellar nursery within. The part that we see in small telescopes is about 20 light years across.

IOTA ORIONIS - also known as in arabic as Na’ir al Saif, which means simply “the Bright One of the Sword" At 2.9 magnitude, it is the brightest of the three "points of light".

My first attempt at LRGB color. Imaged at Tres Placitas Observatory Santa Fe, NM  February 1, 2003

L15/R11/B11/G11

In Memorium, STS-107 Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew.

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Last modified: January 1st, 2009