                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2024 May 24
   A star field filled with complex dark dust and bright purple nebulas is
      shown. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

                     M78 from the Euclid Space Telescope
        Image Credit & License: ESA, Euclid, Euclid Consortium, NASA;
         Processing: J.-C. Cuillandre (CEA Paris-Saclay), G. Anselmi

   Explanation: Star formation can be messy. To help find out just how
   messy, ESA's new Sun-orbiting Euclid telescope recently captured the
   most detailed image ever of the bright star forming region M78. Near
   the image center, M78 lies at a distance of only about 1,300
   light-years away and has a main glowing core that spans about 5
   light-years. The featured image was taken in both visible and infrared
   light. The purple tint in M78's center is caused by dark dust
   preferentially reflecting the blue light of hot, young stars. Complex
   dust lanes and filaments can be traced through this gorgeous and
   revealing skyscape. On the upper left is associated star forming region
   NGC 2071, while a third region of star formation is visible on the
   lower right. These nebulas are all part of the vast Orion Molecular
   Cloud Complex which can be found with even a small telescope just north
   of Orion's belt.

          More Euclid Sky Candy: Recent images released from Euclid
               Tomorrow's picture: Earth's big mystery crater
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

