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Messier 78

Nebula in Orion · 1,600 light-years

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TypeNebula
ConstellationOrion
Distance1,600 light-years
Apparent magnitude8
Apparent size4.5′ (arc-minutes)
Also known asM78 · NGC 2068
Messier 78 is a nebula (also catalogued as NGC 2068) in Orion — a glowing cloud of interstellar gas and dust. It was recorded by Charles Messier in his famous catalogue of 110 deep-sky objects. It spans roughly 4.5 arc-minutes on the sky. At about magnitude 8, it shows up well in a small backyard telescope.

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