Messier 78
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Infobox nebula
Messier 78 (also known as M78 or NGC 2068) is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. It is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula in a group that includes NGC 2064, NGC 2067, and NGC 2071, all part of the Orion B molecular cloud complex. Located approximately Script error: No such module "convert". from Earth,[1] M78 is visible in small telescopes as a hazy patch illuminated by two B-type stars, HD 38563 A and HD 38563 B, of 10th and 11th magnitude.[2] It is a popular target for amateur astronomers, who have given it the common name Casper the Friendly Ghost Nebula.[3]
Discovery
Discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780, M78 was included in Charles Messier's catalog of comet-like objects that same year.[4]
Structure and composition
The nebula's dust cloud reflects light from its two central stars, making it visible. Infrared observations reveal an embedded star cluster[1] and a hierarchy of gas clumps with core masses ranging from Script error: No such module "val". to Script error: No such module "val"..[5] M78 hosts:
- 45 T Tauri stars (young stellar objects still forming).[6]
- 17 Herbig–Haro objects (jets emitted by nascent stars).[7]
Observations
On May 23, 2024, the European Space Agency released a high-resolution image of M78 from the Euclid mission, revealing hundreds of thousands of previously unseen objects, including substellar bodies.[8]
Gallery
-
VISTA image of Messier 78.
-
Spitzer image of Messier 78.
-
Euclid image of star-forming region Messier 78
See also
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ https://www.aapod2.com/blog/messier-78-casper-the-friendly-ghost
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
<ref> tag with name "simbad" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
Script error: No such module "Side box".
- Template:WikiSky
- SEDS: Starforming Nebula M78
- Template:APOD
- NightSkyInfo.com – M78
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
- M78 Wide Field 2009 November 26
- M78 and Reflecting Dust Clouds in Orion 2010 March 2
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Template:Portal bar Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Ngc25