APOD November 26 2009. M78 Wide Field.

[DavidLeodis]

I would be grateful if someone could please identify for me where McNeil's Nebula is in the image, as I am unsure. http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap091126.html

I also have a comment. The "McNeil's Nebula" in the explanation to that APOD brought up the APOD of February 19 2004, whose subject is McNeil's Nebula. The "emergence of McNeil's Nebula" in the explanation to that APOD brought up a webpage that had a 'Message from webpage' box that needed an answer to a request to go? that had OK and Cancel buttons. In many years of Internet use I have never seen such a message box and I was unsure if to answer. I tried Cancel but that had no effect and even trying OK all I got was the box continually reappearing. I then had problems getting that page to close down. I don't know if using it has a risk or not, but I thought I would mention it.

[rstevenson]

It looks like the animation is asking for permission to run, even though I can see it running behind that dialog box. The page's code needs to be updated but it's fairly old, so there may be no one paying attention. (I just sent a note to the page owner.)

Rob

[geckzilla]

I just wanted to say that this picture is one of the most aesthetically pleasing APODs I can remember seeing. The complementary color scheme, the smooth color gradients, the crispness of the stars... it's just so well executed.

[neufer]

I would be grateful if someone could please identify for me where McNeil's Nebula is in the image, as I am unsure. http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap091126.html

If you follow the dark nebula part of M78 to the right you will see in order:

1) a small Mickey Mouse face above a double star then
2) a red splotch followed closely by
3) a yellow splotch.

McNeil's Nebula is the small Mickey Mouse face.

[DavidLeodis]

Thanks all for your replies, which are much appreciated.