Near Orion's three-star belt, a patch of glowing gas is visible to the unaided eye, according to NASA Science (https://science.nasa.gov/image-article/2026-october-26-m42-the-great-nebula-in-orion/). Known as M42, it spans about 40 light-years.
Source: https://science.nasa.gov/image-article/2026-october-26-m42-the-great-nebula-in-orion/
Image credit: NASA Science / Palaia
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