Nebulae in Orion, optical image. The image reveals the extent of the nebulosity in the constellation Orion. The great Orion nebula (M42 and M43, bright pink) is at lower centre. The constellation includes the red supergiant star Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis, upper left) and the white supergiant Rigel (Beta Orionis, lower right). The three stars of Orion's Belt cross the centre of the image. The ring of red nebulosity encircling the region is called Barnard's Loop. The nebulosity in Orion is around 1500 light years from Earth.