Messier 42 (Trapezium)

 Diffuse Nebula

 In constellation Orion

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M42 is one of the brightest nebulasand is the

nearest star forming region to Earth. It is located

 around 1,270 light years away and is 24 light years

 across. Its age is estimated to be 20 million years old.

 This is a very high magnification shot.

The Trapezium is the tight central star cluster.

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RA 05^h 35^m 17.30^s

DEC -05° 23′ 28.0″

M42 has a magnitude (brightness) of 3.0

and its size is 65'.0 x 60'.0

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Imaging Scope : Meade LX200 GPS 16 inch

Focal Length = 4064mm

Imaging Camera : Canon EOS 350 DSLR

Meade EQ Pier : Unguided

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5 x 90 second exposures [7 mins 30 secs]

at ISO 1600. Imaged during 1/2 moon lit skies

Foxdale, Isle of Man Observatory, British Isles.

20:30 on 17/03/2008.