M 42

M 42

HII

HII — SIMBAD verified

M42, famously known as the Orion Nebula, is a vast, radiant cloud of interstellar gas and dust where massive new stars are actively being born. Its brilliant, complex structures and glowing core make it one of the most photographed and visually stunning objects in the entire night sky.

Key Facts

RA (J2000)

5h 35m 16.8s

Dec (J2000)

−5° 23′ 15″

Best Season

Winter (Dec–Feb)

How to Find It

Locate Orion's Belt, the distinct line of three bright stars, and look just below it to find the three stars forming the 'sword' of the hunter; M42 is the fuzzy, glowing patch surrounding the middle star of this sword.

Observing Tip

If you are struggling to resolve detail in the bright core, use an OIII or UHC filter to increase the contrast of the nebulosity against the dark background sky.

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