M42 and M43 (center) compose one of the great stellar birthplaces in our galaxy. This image was taken from Megnaritaville (GMARS) in November 2008 through a WO 80mm FD with a .8 flattener/reducer using a Canon EOS 400 (unmodified). It is a composite of images shot with different exposure times in order to preserve detail in the very bright core of the nebula. It was processed entirely on a Mac using Nebulosity, Photoshop CS3 and Leopard Preview. To the upper left is the blue reflection nebula, NGC 1977, often called the Running Man Nebula. See spectra of M42 here.