The Orion Nebula is a diffuse nebula situated south of Orion's Belt. It is one of the brightest nebulae, and is visible to the naked eye in the night sky. 

M42 is located at a distance of about 1,500 light years, and is the closest region of star formation to Earth.  The M42 nebula is estimated to be 30 light years across. Older texts frequently referred to the Orion Nebula as the Great Nebula.

The Orion Nebula is considered to be one of the most scrutinized and photographed objects in the night sky, and is among the most intensely-studied celestial features. The nebula has revealed much about the process of how stars and planetary systems are formed from collapsing clouds of gas and dust.^[*]

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	March 3, 2008 Six 60-second exposures at ISO 800 Orion ED80 Hap Griffin modified Canon RebelXT 350D No filters Darks/Flats/Bias applied. Copyright © 2008 Antonio Pascarella
	My first shot at the Orion Nebula March 2007 Three 60-second exposures ISO 800. Orion AstroView 120ST EQ Unmodified Canon RebelXT 350D No filters used Darks/Flats/Bias applied. Copyright © 2007 Antonio Pascarella