M78 & NGC 2071

Messier 78 (also known as M78 or NGC 2068) is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. It is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula in a group that includes NGC 2064, NGC 2067, and NGC 2071, all part of the Orion B molecular cloud complex. Located approximately 1,350 light-years from Earth, M78 is visible in small telescopes as a hazy patch illuminated by two B-type stars, HD 38563 A and HD 38563 B.

It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780, M78 was included in Charles Messier's catalog of comet-like objects that same year.

The star HD 290861 is located in the center of NGC 2071. It is the illuminating star of this reflection nebula. The region contains several Herbig-Haro objects, indicating ongoing star-formation.