This beautiful grouping of reflection
nebulae in Orion - NGC 1977, NGC 1975, and NGC 1973 - are
usually overlooked in favor of the substantial glow from the
nearby stellar nursery better known as the Orion Nebula. Found
along Orion's sword just north of the bright Orion Nebula
complex, these reflection nebulae are also associated with
Orion's giant molecular cloud about 1,500 light-years away, but
are dominated by the characteristic blue color of interstellar
dust reflecting light from hot young stars. NGC 1977 stretches
across the field just above below, separated from NGC 1975
(above left) and NGC 1973 (above right) by darker regions of
obscuring dust.
