The Running Man Nebula, is located just 30 arcminutes north of M42 in Orion. It is located 1,500 light-years away.

This area is a complex of blue reflection nebulae mixed with dark lanes and red emission nebulosity. The blue color comes from reflected starlight scattered by dust.

The area is actually comprised of three NGC catalog numbers, 1973, 1975 and 1977, but the entire Running Man Nebula is usually called NGC 1977. The three NGC nebulae are separated by dark nebulae.

These nebulae are part of the huge Orion Molecular Cloud. Young stars in the nebula are part of the Orion OB1 stellar association. The nebula is illuminated by the hot young star 42 Orionis.

This area is often overlooked because of its spectacular neighbor M42, but is outstanding in its own right, being one of the brightest reflection nebulae in the sky.

North is up in this image.

NGC 1977 Catalogs: NGC 1973, NGC 1975, NGC 1977 Common Name: Running Man Nebula Object Type: Reflection Nebula Complex Magnitude: 7b Size: 30' x 20' Constellation: Orion Image Field Centered At: RA: 05h 35m 24s Dec: -04° 47' 50"