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                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2026 January 28
   In a starfield glowing red, several features stand out. On the right is
    a diffuse white band, and on the upper right is some dark dust. Most
     prominently, though, are two blue structures in the center, one of
    which has a dark band running across near the middle. Please see the
                 explanation for more detailed information.

                    M78: Reflecting Blue in a Sea of Red
                  Image Credit & Copyright: Daniel McCauley

   Explanation: In the vast Orion Molecular Cloud complex, several bright
   blue nebulas are particularly apparent. Pictured here in the center are
   two of the most prominent reflection nebulas - dust clouds lit by the
   reflecting light of bright embedded stars. The more famous nebula is
   M78, in the image center, cataloged over 200 years ago. To its upper
   left is the lesser known NGC 2071. Astronomers continue to study these
   reflection nebulas to better understand how interior stars form. The
   overall red glow is from diffuse hydrogen gas that covers much of the
   Orion complex that spans much of the constellation of Orion. Nearby in
   the greater complex, which lies about 1,500 light years away, are the
   Orion Nebula, the Horsehead Nebula, and Barnard's Loop -- partially
   seen here as the white band on the upper left.

                  Almost Hyperspace: Random APOD Generator
                       Tomorrow's picture: open space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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                             & Michigan Tech. U.

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