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Messier 78: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: Sky map 05h 46.7m 00s, +00° 03′ 00″
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M78 is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula of a group of nebulae that includes [[NGC 2064]], [[NGC 2067]] and [[NGC 2071]]. This group belongs to the [[Orion Molecular Cloud Complex|Orion B molecular cloud complex]] and is about {{Convert|415|pc|ly|order=flip|disp=out|lk=on}} distant from Earth.<ref name=Smith2013/> M78 is easily found in small [[telescope]]s as a hazy patch and involves two stars of 10th and 11th [[apparent magnitude|magnitude]]. These two [[B-type star]]s, {{nowrap|''HD 38563 A''}} and {{nowrap|''HD 38563 B''}}, are responsible for making the cloud of dust in M78 visible by reflecting their light.<ref name=Strom1974/>
M78 is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula of a group of nebulae that includes [[NGC 2064]], [[NGC 2067]] and [[NGC 2071]]. This group belongs to the [[Orion Molecular Cloud Complex|Orion B molecular cloud complex]] and is about {{Convert|415|pc|ly|order=flip|disp=out|lk=on}} distant from Earth.<ref name=Smith2013/> M78 is easily found in small [[telescope]]s as a hazy patch and involves two stars of 10th and 11th [[apparent magnitude|magnitude]]. These two [[B-type star]]s, {{nowrap|''HD 38563 A''}} and {{nowrap|''HD 38563 B''}}, are responsible for making the cloud of dust in M78 visible by reflecting their light.<ref name=Strom1974/>


The M78 cloud contains a cluster of stars that is visible in the [[infrared]], one of which has been given the name 'Grandma Angel' by her son and daughter in law, Matthew and Gemma who miss her dearly and gave her name to this wonderful star.<ref name=Smith2013/> Due to gravity, the molecular gas in the nebula has fragmented into a hierarchy of clumps,<ref name=Smith2013/> the denser cores of which about to form stars with masses of up to {{Val|5|ul=solar mass}}.<ref name=Motte2001/> About 45 [[variable star]]s of the ''T Tauri'' type,<ref name=Herbig1963/> young stars still in the process of formation as well as some 17<ref name=Zhao1999/> [[Herbig–Haro object]]s are known in M78.
The M78 cloud contains a cluster of stars that is visible in the [[infrared]].<ref name=Smith2013/> Due to gravity, the molecular gas in the nebula has fragmented into a hierarchy of clumps,<ref name=Smith2013/> the denser cores of which about to form stars with masses of up to {{Val|5|ul=solar mass}}.<ref name=Motte2001/> About 45 [[variable star]]s of the ''T Tauri'' type,<ref name=Herbig1963/> young stars still in the process of formation as well as some 17<ref name=Zhao1999/> [[Herbig–Haro object]]s are known in M78.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==

Revision as of 00:12, 7 March 2019

M78
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 ascension05h 46m 46.7s[1]
Declination+00° 00′ 50″[1]
Distance1,350 ly (415 pc)[2] ly
Apparent magnitude (V)8.3
Apparent dimensions (V)8′ × 6′
ConstellationOrion
Physical characteristics
Radius5 ly
Notable featuresPart of the Orion Complex
DesignationsCed 55u, DG 80, IRAS 05442-0000, [KPS2012] MWSC 0664, NGC 2068[1]
See also: Lists of nebulae

Messier 78 or M 78, also known as NGC 2068, is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and included by Charles Messier in his catalog of comet-like objects that same year.[3]

M78 is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula of a group of nebulae that includes NGC 2064, NGC 2067 and NGC 2071. This group belongs to the Orion B molecular cloud complex and is about 1,350 light-years distant from Earth.[2] M78 is easily found in small telescopes as a hazy patch and involves two stars of 10th and 11th magnitude. These two B-type stars, HD 38563 A and HD 38563 B, are responsible for making the cloud of dust in M78 visible by reflecting their light.[4]

The M78 cloud contains a cluster of stars that is visible in the infrared.[2] Due to gravity, the molecular gas in the nebula has fragmented into a hierarchy of clumps,[2] the denser cores of which about to form stars with masses of up to M.[5] About 45 variable stars of the T Tauri type,[6] young stars still in the process of formation as well as some 17[7] Herbig–Haro objects are known in M78.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "M 78". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d 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.{{citation}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Strom, S. E.; et al. (July 1974), "Infrared and optical observations of Herbig-Haro objects.", Astrophysical Journal, 191: 111–142, Bibcode:1974ApJ...191..111S, doi:10.1086/152948.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Herbig, G. H.; Kuhi, L. V. (February 1963), "Emission-Line Stars in the Region of NGC 2068", Astrophysical Journal, 137: 398, Bibcode:1963ApJ...137..398H, doi:10.1086/147519.
  7. ^ 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.