Messier 78 (also known as M 78, NGC 2068, VDB 59, DG 80, Bernes 102C, Ced 55u, Magakian 151, h 368, GC 1267) is a reflection nebula in the constellation Orion. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and included by Charles Messier in his catalog the same year. M78 is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula of a group of nebulae that include NGC 2064, NGC 2067 and NGC 2071 (see the annotated mouseover). This group belongs to the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex and its distance from Earth is about 1,600 light years. Two stars of 10th magnitude, HD 38563A and HD 38563B, are responsible for making the cloud of dust in M78 visible by reflecting their light. Another part of the clouds is separated from M 78 by unlit gas and dust - this is NGC 2071 (also catalogued as VDB 60, DG 81, Bernes 101, Ced 55v, LBN 938, LBN 205.32-14.04, Magakian 153, IV 36 or GC 1270).About 45 variable stars of the T Tauri type, young stars still in the process of formation as well as some 17 Herbig–Haro objects are known in this region. Some of them are shown on the annotated image.