Emission Nebula NGC 1980 & Open Cluster Collinder 72 in Orion
Just South Of The Great Orion Nebula
The Open Cluster, Collinder 72, is just south of the Great Orion Nebula. This bright cluster
(magnitude 3) contains about 30 stars including three pretty doubles. As impressive as this
Open Cluster is, most star maps do not list Collinder 72, but do list NGC 1980 at this location.
NGC 1980, refers to the emission nebula surrounding and embedded within the stars of
Collinder 72. NGC 1980 is part of the same Orion Molecular Cloud Complex as the Orion
Nebula. The cluster and nebula make an interesting pair well worth taking the time to view.
That is if you can tear yourself away from the Great Orion Nebula (M42) -- admittedly a tough
thing to do.