Orion Molecular Clouds
| Molecular cloud | |
|---|---|
ESA's Herschel Space Observatory did image the OMC in far-infrared | |
| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
| Class | star-forming region |
| Right ascension | 05h 35m 27.0s |
| Declination | −05° 10′ 06″ |
| Distance | 1,280 ly (392 pc) |
| Constellation | Orion |
| Designations | OMC-1, OMC-2, OMC-3, OMC-4 |
The Orion Molecular Clouds (OMC) form collectively a filament cloud and are star-forming regions located behind the Orion Nebula and are seen as dark clouds between the Orion Nebula and Sh 2-279. The filament is part of the molecular cloud Orion A, which is part of the Orion molecular cloud complex. The Orion Molecular Clouds are divided into four parts: OMC-1, OMC-2, OMC-3 and OMC-4. Material in the OMCs and material in the foreground from the Orion Nebula prevent observations in shorter wavelengths and therefore the OMC is often observed with radio telescopes and with infrared telescopes.