HOW BIG
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Nebulae

Orion Nebula: size, dimension and comparison

The adopted reference is about 23.994 light-years.

approximate extent

A light-year is a distance: how far light travels in one year. It is used for distances between stars.

A vast star-forming region in Orion.

Explore at this scale
Orion Nebula, interpreted illustration
Interpreted illustration · dimension stated in the fact sheet.

What does this number measure?

A vast star-forming region in Orion. Young stars illuminate the gas of the Orion Nebula. Its boundaries are diffuse and depend on the observed wavelength; this reference represents an approximate extent.

Compare the stated dimensions

The comparison uses the number in each fact sheet: altitude, height, diameter, length or distance, depending on the reference. Two values in metres do not necessarily describe the same property.

Compare with Crab Nebula in the explorer →

Source and limitations

Catalogue order of magnitude; a source is provided, but this measurement has not been individually audited.

Orion Nebula: interpreted clouds, central cavity and dust in emission colours; approximate diffuse outlines.