Diffuse nebula M78 in Orion

M78 is one of the brighter portions of the nebulosity that surrounds the constellation of Orion. The distance to this nebula is about 1600 light years and its diameter is about 2-3 light years. Both of the embedded stars are B-type giants.

Note nebula NGC2071 (7.0' x 5.0' and magnitude 8.0) to left of M78.

Images taken with TEC-140 Telescope mounted on Losmandy G11 mount. Camera used was a Canon EOS20D used at prime focus.

Fifteen 3 minute exposures dark compensated, aligned and stacked, background removed and Digitaly Developed in ImagesPlus 2.10.