ORION COMPLEX

1500 light-years

This relatively wide-angle telescopic view shows parts of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. The three bright stars are Orion's Belt - Alnitak (left), Alnilam and Mintaka (right). Just to the left of Alnitak is the Flame Nebula, and just below the star is the famous horsehead nebula. The Orion Complex also includes the famous Orion Nebula, and a structure called Barnard's Loop which covers most of the constellation.

Credit: Image created from Palomar Observatory Sky Survey visible light data by Davide De Martin.

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