The Orion Nebula (M42)
R/B-band color composite image from the Second Digitized Sky Survey (DSS2), measuring 90 arcminutes across.
Finder chart
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From Cambridge , the Orion Nebula is not observable – it will reach its highest point in the sky during daytime and is no higher than 11° above the horizon at dusk.
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Name
The Orion Nebula (M42)
|
Object type
Open cluster
|
Position
| Right ascension: | 05h35m [3] |
| Declination: | −05°23' [3] |
| Constellation: | Orion |
| Magnitude: | 4.00 (V) [3] 4.00 (B) [3] |
| Distance: | 414.0 parsec 1349.6 lightyrs [2] |
| B-V Color (mag): | 0.00 |
Derived quantities
| Absolute mag (V): | -4.09 |
Visibility from Cambridge
All times shown in Cambridge local time.
Events
| 15 Dec 2025 | – The Orion Nebula is well placed |
| 15 Dec 2026 | – The Orion Nebula is well placed |
| 15 Dec 2027 | – The Orion Nebula is well placed |
| 14 Dec 2028 | – The Orion Nebula is well placed |
| 15 Dec 2029 | – The Orion Nebula is well placed |
| 15 Dec 2030 | – The Orion Nebula is well placed |
| 15 Dec 2031 | – The Orion Nebula is well placed |
| 14 Dec 2032 | – The Orion Nebula is well placed |