A nebula is space dust that appears as a hazy, bright, colorful patch in the sky. The Orion Nebula dates back millions of years and is composed mainly of hydrogen, but also helium, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen (Wiley 1). The Orion Nebula is also known as M42, Messier 42 and NGC 1976 (Ivan P. 1). Even though the Orion Nebula may have a giant black hole in the middle, the Orion Nebula remains the brightest nebula because it can be seen with the naked eye at certain times of the year and contains the three brightest stars. brighter. The Orion Nebula is not a difficult nebula to find. It is best observed during the colder months of January and February (Ivan P. 1). It is one of many star patterns most visible in the winter sky (Franknoi 1). The three stars in its center make it easier to find than most (Franknoi 1). If you live in the northern hemisphere, you can find the Orion Nebula in the southwest sky between latitudes 86 and -75 degrees (Ivan P. 1). The Orion Nebula is 1,270 light years from Earth (Fuller 1). The Orion Nebula also lies between Jupiter and the brightest star, Sirius (Fuller 1). The Orion Nebula has a diameter of fourteen light years (Ivan P. 1). If you really want to see the Orion Nebula up close, you need to use the Hubble Space Telescope to view it (Fuller 1). Since the Orion Nebula is so easy to find, it is a useful aid in finding other stars surrounding it, including Sirius, Aldebaran, and Procyon (Garza 1). The Orion Nebula was also one of the first nebulae photographed (Britannica 1). Henry Drapper was the photographer and took the photo in 1880 (Britannica 1). The Orion Nebula originated with the Greeks. Orion has always been associated with mythology (I ...... middle of paper ......'s Sharpest View of the Orion Nebula." Www.spacetelescope.org. NASA, 2004. Web. March 27 2014. Templeton, Matthew. "Trapezium, BM Orionis and young stellar objects." . Np, January 11, 2006. Web. March 25, 2014. .Wiley, John. "Making the Nebulae Shine." Www.dummies.com/how-to/content/take a shine to the Nebula.html. Web, March 27, 2014. .Zimmerman, Kim Ann. “Orion Constellation: Np Fighter Facts, July 19, 2012. .. 2014. .