M78 and NGC 2071 (M 78)

Astrophotography · February 22, 2026

M78 and NGC 2071

Shot with my travel observatory →

Target
M 78
Type
Reflection nebula
Date
February 22, 2026
Telescope
Photron RC6 (6″ Ritchey–Chrétien) on a hypertuned Celestron AVX
Camera
ZWO ASI294MC Pro (guiding: ASI224MC + William Optics 50 mm)

The brightest reflection nebula in the sky, about 1,350 light-years away in Orion. Instead of glowing on its own, its dust scatters blue light from the young stars embedded in it; NGC 2071 is the smaller reflection nebula to its upper right.