The nearest large star-forming region and arguably the most-imaged object in the sky. The Trapezium cluster at its core ionises thousands of solar masses of gas and dust. Extreme dynamic range makes it a technical challenge — HDR or masked composites required to render both the blazing core and the delicate outer wisps in a single image.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of object is M 42?
M 42 is an emission nebula.
Which constellation is M 42 in?
M 42 lies in the constellation Orion.
How far away is M 42?
The light in this image left M 42 roughly ~1,344 years ago, so that is how far back in time you are seeing it.
What are the coordinates of M 42?
M 42 sits at right ascension 05h 35m 17s and declination −5° 40′ 50″ (J2000).
When is the best time to photograph M 42?
M 42 rides highest in the evening sky around December, reaching about 31° above the horizon from around 54°N.
What equipment was used to photograph M 42?
This image of M 42 was captured with ZWO Seestar S50 and ZWO Seestar S50 Camera.
How much exposure time went into this image?
This image of M 42 represents 1m (8 × 10s) of total integration time.
