Cosmic Nursery

The Orion Nebula reveals its stellar birthplace in vivid detail

The Great Orion Nebula (M42) serves as one of the most spectacular stellar nurseries in our galaxy, where new stars are actively forming from clouds of gas and dust. Located 1,344 light-years away, this nebula spans about 24 light-years and glows with the light of young, hot stars that illuminate the surrounding cosmic material in brilliant reds and blues.