M78 : Diffuse Nebula in Orion

Imaged on 10/16/09
Telescope: Takahashi FSQ106N
Mount: Losmandy G-11
Camera/Autoguider: SBIG ST10 XME
Exposures: 2hrs of Lum and 30 min each RGB
Site: Palomar Mountain
Temp: 52 degrees, no wind, excellent seeing

M78 is 1,630 light years away. The nebulocity in this region is reflected light from hot young Type B stars that ignite surrounding hydrogen and oxygen to form the greenish/blue tint. This region also contains reflected dust.