| Description | Méchain again, December 17, 1780): Cluster of stars, with much nebulosity in Orion & on the same parallel as the star Delta in the belt.... M. Méchain had seen this cluster at the beginning of 1780, & reported: "On the left side of Orion, 2 to 3 minutes in diameter, one can see two fairly bright nuclei, surrounded by nebulosity".' (diam. 3') <--> This is a beautiful, small reflection nebula in Orion, and one of the brightest in the sky. Overshadowed by its gaudier neighbors: this is still a significant star forming region. If this weren't in Orion, it might be more famous... but it's probably Nebula #5 in Orion behind M42/43, Running Man, Horsehead, and Flame, not to mention additional nebulae in Monceros (Rosette, Christmas Tree). Superior in beauty and mystery to the Iris Nebula, but much less known. What is the second bright nucleus in Méchain's description? Two portions of what we now call M78/NGC 2068? Or one of the other nebulae? |
