This image of the Orion Nebula was captured at Big Bend National Park over the course of the first weekend of January 2024. It is result of the combination of several hundred individual images 'stacked' together to reduce image noise and increase the visibility of faint nebula features.
The Orion Nebula, located about 1,344 light-years away in the constellation Orion, is one of the most studied and photographed regions of star formation in the Milky Way. Spanning roughly 24 light-years across, this vibrant stellar nursery is a dazzling mix of gas and dust, illuminated by the intense radiation from young, hot stars at its center. The nebula contains a wealth of cosmic phenomena, including protostars and complex molecular structures, making it an invaluable site for astronomers seeking to understand the processes of star formation and the evolution of galaxies. Its striking appearance, with hues of pink, red, and blue, captures the imagination, showcasing the beauty and complexity of the universe.
