Orion Menu - Orion Objects

Nebulae in the Sword Region

The sword region contains vast clouds of gas and dust. Point to the image or the links to highlight the featured objects. Click for information about an object.

Alnitak

The bright star to the north of the Horsehead Nebula.

Sigma Orionis and Alnitak illuminate IC434, and excite its hydrogen atoms to radiate the nebula's pink glow.