Messier 78: a reflection nebula in Orion

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This new image of the reflection nebula Messier 78 was captured using the Wide Field Imager camera on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at the La Silla Observatory, Chile. This colour picture was created from many monochrome exposures taken through blue, yellow/green and red filters, supplemented by exposures through a filter that isolates light from glowing hydrogen gas. The total exposure times were 9, 9, 17.5 and 15.5 minutes per filter, respectively.

Credit:

ESO/Igor Chekalin

Usage of ESO Images and Videos

About the Image

Id:	eso1105a
Type:	Observation
Release date:	16 February 2011, 12:00
Related releases:	eso1105
Size:	8679 x 8411 px

About the Object

Name:	M 78, Messier 78
Type:	• Milky Way : Nebula : Appearance : Reflection • Nebulae
Distance:	1400 light years

Mounted Image

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Coordinates

Position (RA):	5h 46m 37.42s
Position (Dec):	0° 6' 40.62"
Field of view:	34.43 x 33.36 arcminutes
Orientation:	North is 1.6° right of vertical

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Colours & filters

Band	Telescope
Optical B	MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI
Optical V	MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI
Optical R	MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI
Optical H-alpha	MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI