| Reflection nebula | |
|---|---|
 Image of Messier 78 captured using the Wide Field Imager camera on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at the La Silla Observatory. | |
| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 05h 46m 46.7s[1] |
| Declination | +00° 00′ 50″[1] |
| Distance | 1,350 ly (415 pc)[2] ly |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 8.3[3] |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 8′ × 6′[3] |
| Constellation | Orion |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Radius | 5 ly |
| Notable features | Part of the Orion complex |
| Designations | Ced 55u, DG 80, IRAS 05442-0000, [KPS2012] MWSC 0664, NGC 2068[1] |
Messier 78 (also known as M78 or NGC 2068) is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. It is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula in a group that includes NGC 2064, NGC 2067, and NGC 2071, all part of the Orion B molecular cloud complex. Located approximately 1,350 light-years from Earth,[2] M78 is visible in small telescopes as a hazy patch illuminated by two B-type stars, HD 38563 A and HD 38563 B, of 10th and 11th magnitude.[4] It is a popular target for amateur astronomers, who have given it the common name Casper the Friendly Ghost Nebula.[5]
Discovery
Discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780, M78 was included in Charles Messier's catalog of comet-like objects that same year.[6]
Structure and composition
The nebula's dust cloud reflects light from its two central stars, making it visible. Infrared observations reveal an embedded star cluster[2] and a hierarchy of gas clumps with core masses ranging from 0.3 M☉ to 5 M☉.[7] M78 hosts:
- 45 T Tauri stars (young stellar objects still forming).[8]
- 17 Herbig–Haro objects (jets emitted by nascent stars).[9]
Observations
On May 23, 2024, the European Space Agency released a high-resolution image of M78 from the Euclid mission, revealing hundreds of thousands of previously unseen objects, including substellar bodies.[10]
Gallery
-
VISTA image of Messier 78. -
Spitzer image of Messier 78. -
Euclid image of star-forming region Messier 78
See also
References
- ^ a b c "M 78". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- ^ a b c Walker-Smith, S. L.; Richer, J. S.; Buckle, J. V.; Smith, R. J.; Greaves, J. S.; Bonnell, I. A. (March 2013), "The structure and kinematics of dense gas in NGC 2068", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 429 (4): 3252–3265, arXiv:1212.2018, Bibcode:2013MNRAS.429.3252W, doi:10.1093/mnras/sts582.
- ^ a b "Messier 78". SEDS Messier Catalog. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ Strom, S. E.; et al. (July 1974), "Infrared and optical observations of Herbig–Haro objects.", The Astrophysical Journal, 191: 111–142, Bibcode:1974ApJ...191..111S, doi:10.1086/152948.
- ^ https://www.aapod2.com/blog/messier-78-casper-the-friendly-ghost
- ^ Frommert, Hartmut; Kronberg, Christine (9 October 2018), "Messier 78", SEDS Messier pages, Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS), retrieved 5 December 2018.
- ^ Motte, F.; et al. (June 2001), "A SCUBA survey of the NGC 2068/2071 protoclusters", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 372 (3): L41–L44, arXiv:astro-ph/0105019, Bibcode:2001A&A...372L..41M, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20010543, S2CID 7658059.
- ^ Herbig, G. H.; Kuhi, L. V. (February 1963), "Emission-Line Stars in the Region of NGC 2068", The Astrophysical Journal, 137: 398, Bibcode:1963ApJ...137..398H, doi:10.1086/147519.
- ^ Zhao, Bing; et al. (September 1999), "Newly Discovered Herbig-Haro Objects in the NGC 2068 and NGC 2071 Regions", The Astronomical Journal, 118 (3): 1347–1353, Bibcode:1999AJ....118.1347Z, doi:10.1086/301002.
- ^ "Euclid's new image of star-forming region Messier 78". The European Space Agency. ESA/Euclid/Euclid Consortium/NASA. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
External links
- Messier 78 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images
- SEDS: Starforming Nebula M78
- NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: M78: Stardust and Starlight (4 November 2005)
- NightSkyInfo.com – M78
- Astronomy Picture of the Day
- M78 Wide Field 2009 November 26
- M78 and Reflecting Dust Clouds in Orion 2010 March 2
- Haran, Brady; Haese, Paul. "M78 – Reflection Nebula". Deep Sky Videos. Nottingham Astronomy Group, University of Nottingham.
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