The 1970s are often overlooked. In particular, the beautiful grouping of reflection nebulae NGC 1977, NGC 1975, and NGC 1973
in Orion are often overlooked in favor of the substantial stellar nursery better known as the Orion Nebula. Found along the
sword of Orion just north of the bright Orion Nebula complex, these nebulae are also associated with Orion's giant molecular
cloud which lies about 1,500 light-years away, but are dominated by the characteristic blue color of interstellar dust
reflecting light from hot young stars. NGC 1977 stretches across the field just below center, separated from NGC 1973
(above right) and NGC 1975 (above left) by dark regions laced with faint red emission from hydrogen atoms. Taken together, the dark
regions suggest to many the shape of a running man.
[Text adapted from APOD]