Messier 78 is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion, the brightest member of a group that also includes NGC 2064, NGC 2067, and NGC 2071, all part of the Orion B molecular cloud complex. Located about 1,350 light-years from Earth, it appears in small telescopes as a hazy patch lit from within by two young B-type stars, and amateur astronomers have nicknamed it the Casper the Friendly Ghost Nebula for its pale, ghostlike glow.
Facts
Classification
Constellation Discovery Year In the Other Atlases
In Constellation
Also in Divinity Atlas: the constellation this subject lies in.
Sources
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia Foundation
2. Messier 63 (The Sunflower Galaxy) - NASA Science
Lead sentence
Messier 78 (also known as M78 or NGC 2068) is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion.
Discovery section
M78 was discovered in 1780 by Charles Messier's colleague Pierre Mechain.
View the SourceWikipedia: Messier 78 - Wikipedia
Infobox
NGC 2068
Messier 78, Wikipedia - lead section, catalogue classification
Messier 78 (also known as M78 or NGC 2068) is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion.
Messier 78, Wikipedia - lead section, constellation
Messier 78 (also known as M78 or NGC 2068) is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion.
In Group: Emission, Reflection and Diffuse Nebulae, Lead sentence
Messier 78 (also known as M78 or NGC 2068) is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion.
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