M78

From South Dublin Astronomical Society

M78
Type	Reflection nebula
NGC	NGC 2068
Constellation	Orion
Right Ascension	5h 46.7m
Declination	+0° 03'
Magnitude	8
Size	8 x 6 arc min.
Image:M78 messier image.jpg

M78 in Orion is not on many casual observers’ lists due to the proximity of the more illustrious M42, the Great Nebula. Phil Harrington mentions that it is a diffuse nebula and indeed it appears as an amorphorus glow through binoculars. Giant instruments may show two faint stars embedded within the threads of gas. The nebula lies 2° northeast of Zeta Orionis, the easternmost of the Belt stars, and is one of the few reflection nebulae that is visible in binoculars. These nebulae shine by reflecting or scattering starlight. The object came under intense scrutiny in February 2004 when Jay McNeil, a US amateur, discovered a new nebula nearby to M78. Astronomers found that this was a small reflection nebula associated with a very young star that underwent periodic changes in its light output.