ALL ABOUT THE ORION NEBULA
The Orion Nebula (Messier 42) is the nearest star-forming region to Earth, located around 1,345 light years away, and is about 2 million years old. The billowing clouds of gas and dust are located in the constellation of Orion, just below Orion’s Belt. The majestic nebula can be seen with the naked eye, as it has an apparent magnitude of +4.0. It’s no surprise that the Orion Nebula has captivated civilisations around the world for centuries – for example, the Maya of Mesoamerica interpreted the nebula as the cosmic fire of creation.
The Orion Nebula is part of a larger stellar network called the
