Red & Purple
05 Jul 2017Robert Phillips
Having freed from myself from a pothole (losing 1 of my SRV's in the process) , I continue my journey toward Barnard's Loop.I stopped briefly to enjoy the view from HD 36917 11 A B, where the major nebulae that comprise Barnard's Loop can be seen (Orion Nebula, Flame Nebula, Barnard's Loop, and the Horsehead Nebula):
There are a couple of nebula missing from that picture - The Running Man nebula, and Messier 78. I decided to check them out before passing through Barnard's Loop.
The Running Man nebula (also known as Sh2-279) is comprised of blue and purple colours, which make for a pleasing contrast against the red backdrop of the Orion Nebula:
That last photo really sums up why I love exploring - I could sit and stare at that sky for hours.
Onwards, to Messier 78, a distinctive reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. It's blue colouration and shape makes it unique in the galaxy. There are no stars in it's core, and only a few surrounding it, which makes it difficult to get a good close up photo:
