This image is centred on the star Alnilam or Epsilon Orionis, which theoretically lies at the heart of the Epsilon OrionisNebula (though no nebulosity is directly detectable in this image, and indeed the existence of the nebula is a matter of conjecture). Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas
A supposed bright nebula of almost circular shape in the heart of
Orion. There is some doubt about the existence of this nebula, but it represents a region about twenty
light years across illuminated by the blue light of
Alnilam, the central star in
Orion's Belt.
Show on Sky Map