This is a nebula which is known as one of the great star forming regions
of our galaxy. You will have probably seen many pictures of it in books
and magazines. It is not so spectacular in modest binoculars. Like many
objects, it is theoretically visible to the naked eye but needs a dark
site. If you have seen the North America Nebula, the Orion Great Nebula
is smaller and brighter. It also has 4 stars embedded within it known as
the Trapezium, which are not always visible to 50mm binoculars and some
nice surrounding stars, giving the appearance of a cluster.
It also has a smaller nebula (M43) close to it, which is actually part
of the same star-forming region.
Photograph courtesy of Steve Reid.
The Orion Great Nebula can be seen from about midnight
in October to just after darkness in May.
