Orion nebula. True-colour optical image of the great Orion nebula (M42 & M43, lower centre) and the associated reflection nebula NGC 1977 (top). These nebulae lie around 1500 light years away in the constellation Orion. M42 and M43 are HII regions, areas of gas (mainly hydrogen) and dust where newly born stars excite the gas, causing it to glow. NGC 1977 is a reflection nebula, lit only by reflecting light from nearby stars. M42 and M43 are excited by a group of stars (the Trapezium) embedded in them. The stars are here obscured by the bright central region. This image was produced by digitally combining photographs taken by the UK Schmidt Telescope in blue and red light.

Photo website with Rights Managed and Royalty Free stock photos, images, illustrations and footage available for download immediately for commercial and editorial uses. Aflo is a leading independent supplier and producer of stock pictures and visual content. Search and find high quality images and video for design, print, web-use and publishing. Buy photos from our extensive collection of model released and property released sports images. Search some of the most beautiful travel and landscape pictures from our own photographers and license from our large collection of content, modern and archive, focusing on Japan. We provide free research. Register for personal account management and for full use of our Stock Photography website and start to download images now.