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The Great Orion Nebula

> ASTRO LOG DATE: 07 DEC 2025
> TARGET: M42 (Orion)

Peering into the "sword" of the constellation Orion reveals one of the most stunning sights in the night sky. These images capture the complex gases and newborn stars of the Orion Nebula, a vast stellar nursery located deep in the Milky Way.

Target Analysis: M42

• A Cosmic Nursery: The Orion Nebula is a massive cloud of gas and dust where hundreds of new stars are currently being born. The bright central area is lit by four massive, young stars known as the "Trapezium Cluster."
• Visible to the Naked Eye: Despite being roughly 1,344 light-years away from Earth, it is one of the brightest nebulae and can be seen with the naked eye even in areas with some light pollution.
• Massive Scale: The nebula is estimated to be about 24 light-years across. To put that in perspective, the closest star to our sun is only about 4 light-years away.