Nebulae represent clouds of gas and dust which appear as hazy or fuzzy objects when viewed through a telescope and are characterized as one of four types (emission, planetary, reflection or dark). Emission nebulae, such as the Lagoon nebula (M8), simply glow, for example, with a stunning shade of red. Planetary nebulae appear as small greenish disks through a telescope, thus emulating the planets Uranus and Neptune, as a result of gas masses being thrown off by dying stars (ex. M27, Dumbbell nebula) or represent supernova remnants (ex. M1, Crab nebula). In contrast, reflection nebulae are characterized with gas surrounding young stars which reflect the stellar light (ex. M45, Pleiades) and, thus, yield beautiful images of nebulosity. Finally, dark nebulae are detectable and studied only using parts other than the visible spectrum and are believed to be associated with the formation of stars (ex. M16 in Serpens).

Note: Perhaps the most stunning nebula of the sky is the famous "Orion Nebula" which is located just to the south of Orion's belt and spans an area four times that of our moon. Aside from its shear size, this celestial gem is also visible with the naked eye even under skies with moderate light pollution during winter as it rises from the east before midnight.

Observation through (any) telescope will reveal two wings which flank on either side of the central core which itself is an observer's and photographer's delight where six bright stars form the "Trapezium". The nebula will reveal itself as a greenish nebulous cloud with a variety of filaments and wisps. In the immediate vicinity one will also find the "Running Man Nebula" (NGC 1977), the stunning open cluster NGC 1981, M43 (or NGC 1982) as well as the stunning emission and dark nebulae IC 434 and B33. The stars forming the "Trapezium" are some of the youngest stars known and the area is commonly described as a "stellar nursery", for we are fortunate to literally be witnessing star formation in progress.