Orion Molecular Cloud Complex

The Orion Molecular Cloud Complex (also often referred to as simply the Orion Complex) refers to a large nebula located in the Orion Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. The cloud itself is hundreds of light-years across and an active region of stellar formation, home to both protoplanetary discs and very young stars.

The nebula is also very bright in the infrared wavelengths due to the heat-intensive processes involved in the stellar formation, although the complex contains dark nebulae, emission nebula, reflection nebula, and HII regions.

Nebulae Within the Complex

The following is a list of notable nebulae within the larger nebula complex:

• The Orion Nebula, also known as M42
• M43, which is part of the Orion Nebula
• The Horsehead Nebula
• Barnard's Loop
• M78, a reflection nebula
• Orion Molecular Cloud 1 (OMC-1)
• Orion Molecular Cloud 2 (OMC-2)
• Flame Nebula (NGC 2024)
• De Mairan's Nebula

See also

• Master list of regions within the Orion Complex.