M42

The Orion Nebula (M 42, NGC 1976, Sh-2 281) is an emission and reflection nebula, as well as a star-forming region in the constellation Orion. Location: It is estimated to be 1,300–1,600 light-years from Earth. Apparent magnitude: 4m, making it visible to the naked eye, the brightest diffuse nebula, and one of the brightest deep-sky objects. The nebula was discovered by Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc in 1610.