1,500 light Years Distant!
and It sure was nice to be out under dark skies again !
M78 from dark site in Country Victoria, Australia.
2 hrs LUM & RGB Data in 10 & 5 min subs, 3 hrs Ha (3nm) in 20 min subs
Processed using Astro Pixel Processor & Photoshop CC 2020

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Interstellar dust clouds and bright nebulae abound in the fertile constellation of Orion. One of the brightest, M78, is near the centre of this view, covering an area north of Orion’s belt. At a distance of about 1,500 light-years, the bluish nebula itself is about 5 light-years across. Its blue tint is due to dust preferentially reflecting the blue light of hot, young stars in the region. Dark dust lanes and other nebulae can easily be traced through the gorgeous skyscape that includes many Herbig- Haro objects, and energetic jets from stars in the process of formation. (text from APOD)
” In skies of blue or stormy seas I am awed by nature’s beauty, In fragrant rose where beauty grows I praise the Lord who made all these”