Object: Orion Nebula/Messier 42

View full image: IU_Bicentennial_Orion_Nebula.jpg

Caption: The Orion Nebula is visible to the naked eye as the central "star" in Orion's Belt. Young, massive stars in the center have blown a large bubble in this star-forming cloud of gas and dust.

Image credit: L. van Zee, E. Yee, & IU Astronomy

This project was partially funded by the Daniel Kirkwood Chair, the Hollis and Grete Johnson Astronomy Endowment funds, and from the Office of the Bicentennial.