Orion: The Big Picture
			
		
		
			Credit & Copyright:  
J. C. Casado
		
		
			Orion is big.  Some of the stars that form the constellation of Orion are part of a giant gas cloud 
complex that stretches over 100 light years and 
appears more than 50 times the diameter of the Moon.  
Components of this cloud include the 
Horsehead Nebula, the 
Orion Nebula, the 
Trapezium 
open cluster, and 
small disks 
containing stellar systems which are just forming.  
At 1500 light years, 
Orion is the closest star forming region to Earth.  
Close inspection of the photo's center should reveal the 
three stars which form the 
belt of Orion.