M42 IC 434

M42 — the Orion Nebula, an emission and reflection nebula, and a star-forming region. It is illuminated by the bright stars of the Trapezium Cluster — a young open star cluster located within the nebula. The Running Man Nebula (NGC 1977) is a blue reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. It earned its nickname because its shape resembles the figure of a running man. IC 434 — the Horsehead Nebula. It appears as a dark patch in the shape of a horse's head against the red glow of hydrogen clouds behind the nebula, excited by radiation from the nearby bright star (ζ Orionis). The dark foreground of the nebula is caused by the absorption of light by a dense layer of dust. The Flame Nebula, designated as NGC 2024 and Sh2-277, is an emission nebula in the constellation Orion.