Deep sky · Reflection nebula in Orion · M 78 · NGC 2068
M 78
Casper the Friendly Ghost Nebula
The brightest reflection nebula in the sky: dust north of Orion’s Belt, lit by the hot young stars inside it.
- Type
- Reflection nebula
- Designations
- M 78 · NGC 2068
- Constellation
- Orion
- Apparent magnitude
- 8.3
- Apparent size
- 8′ × 6′
- Position (J2000)
- RA 5h 47m · Dec +0° 01′
Science
It shines blue in photographs for the same reason the daytime sky is blue: dust scatters blue light more than red.