Located in the constellation Orion, and also known as NGC 2068, M78 is a reflection nebula which forms part of the Orion B molecular cloud complex. Discovered by Pierre Mechain in 1780 and included in Messier’s catalogue the same year.

M79 is visible due to reflected light from two B-type stars, HD 38563A and HD 38563 B and is a stellar nursery. Gravity has caused the molecular gas to form clumps, with the denser cores about to form stars – around 45 T-Tauri type stars of masses up to 5 M.

RA: 05h 46m 46.7s
Dec: +00d 00′ 50″
Apparent magnitude: +8.3
Distance : 1,350 kly
Radius : 5 ly
Apparent Size : 8×6 arcminutes