WISE observation of M42

This image shows the Orion Nebula, one of the brightest and most recognisable nebulae in the night sky. This image shows data gathered by NASAs Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE.

Color in this image represents specific infrared wavelengths. Blue represents light emitted at a wavelength of 3.4 micrometres and cyan (blue-green) represents those of 4.6 micrometres, both of which come mainly from hot stars. Relatively cooler objects, such as the dust of the nebulae, appear green and red. Green represents light of a wavelength of 12 micrometres and red shows that of 22 micrometres.