M42 = NGC1976 ( 5h 35.4m -5°27´, 4 mag. ) and

M43 = NGC1982 ( 5h35.6m -5°16´, 9 mag. )


  The Great Orion Nebula is visible to the naked eye below Orion's Belt. It was discovered by Peiresc in 1611. Messier observed it on March 4, 1769. This part of the closest star forming region is excited to glow chiefly by a multiple star Trapezium (q1 Orionis). Glowing gas forms distinct filaments and the whole cloud is surrounded by dust. This impressive emmision nebula is approx. 1,500 ly distant and measures 30 ly across. Beautiful reflection nebula NGC1973-75-77 lies North of it.

M42/M43 image was taken near London, Ontario on Sept. 27, 1995. Ultima 8 f6.3 was used for 30 min. manually guided eposure onto Ektachrome P1600 slide film. In addition to M42 and M43, reflection nebula NGC1973-75-77 is visible in the upper rigth corner.

The close-up of M43 and Trapezium region of M42 was taken on December 6, 1998 from Sooke, BC. Cookbook 245LDC CCD camera was used on Celestron Ultima 8 SCT f6.3 and the telescope was autoguided with Cookbook 211LDC CCD camera attached to the piggybacked 500mm f8 telephoto lens. White frames (12 x 10 sec.) were combined with CMY-filtered set (5 x 15 sec. each).  

© Jan Wisniewski  

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Map created in Guide 7.0 - 7°45' x 7°45'. North is up.


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© Jan Wisniewski