NGC 1977: Blue Reflection Nebula in Orion
Credit & Copyright: David Malin
(AAO),
AATB
Explanation:
The
Orion Nebula
is visible to the unaided eye as a fuzzy patch near the famous
belt of three stars in the
Orion.
The
above picture captures a part of the
Orion Nebula that primarily reflects light from bright
Orion stars.
This
reflection nebula
appears blue because the blue light from the neighboring stars
scatters more efficiently from
nebula gas than does red light.
The dark lanes are composed of mostly
interstellar dust - fine needle-shaped
carbon grains.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
