M43: Part of Orion Nebula

M43 is part of the much larger Orion Nebula complex. Here we see an extremely bright OB star that is creating a matter bound Stromgren sphere. This means that the star is ionizing the gas that is near it, making a sphere of glowing (pink) hydrogen gas. The size of this sphere is determined by the density of gas/dust that surrounds the star. Another good example of this process can be found in IC 1274. M43 and the Orion Nebula are around 1500 light years away. Many new stars will be formed from these clouds of gas.

This image was taken as part of Advanced Observing Program (AOP) program at Kitt Peak Visitor Center during 2014.