Figure 18-2: R I V U X G
Emission, Reflection, and Dark Nebulae in Orion A variety of different nebulae appear in the sky around Alnitak, the easternmost star in Orion’s belt (see Figure 18-1a). All the nebulae lie approximately 500 pc (1600 ly) from Earth. They are actually nowhere near Alnitak, which is only 250 pc (820 ly) distant. This photograph shows an area of the sky about 1.5° across.
Emission, Reflection, and Dark Nebulae in Orion A variety of different nebulae appear in the sky around Alnitak, the easternmost star in Orion’s belt (see Figure 18-1a). All the nebulae lie approximately 500 pc (1600 ly) from Earth. They are actually nowhere near Alnitak, which is only 250 pc (820 ly) distant. This photograph shows an area of the sky about 1.5° across.
(Stocktrek Images/Roth Ritter/Stocktrek Images/Corbis)