Emission nebula · Orion

M43 de Mairan's Nebula

Also known as: NGC 1982

mag 9.020′ across

About

M43, the de Mairan's Nebula, is an emission nebula of magnitude 9.0 in Orion, about 20′ across.

M43 is in the constellation Orion.
Best evenings: around late January it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from south of 75° N.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesNot visible to the naked eye.
Binoculars (10×50)Too faint for most binoculars.
Telescope (6–8 inch)A faint glow — a UHC or OIII filter and a dark sky make the difference.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	M43, NGC 1982
Type	Emission nebula
Magnitude	9.0The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	20′ × 15′the full Moon is 31′ across
Constellation	Orion
Right ascension (J2000)	05h 35m 31.4s
Declination (J2000)	−05° 16′ 03″