Theta 1 and Theta 2 Orionis are two multiple-star systems within the Orion Nebula (M42). Theta1 includes several stars; the four brightest comprise the Trapezium star cluster at the heart of M42.

But Theta isn’t really a single star; it’s instead a pair of stars, Theta1 and Theta2 Orionis, immersed in the cloud. Take a closer look and you will see that Theta1 is also not a single star ...

image: Left: Zooming into the center of the Orion star-forming region with the four bright Trapezium stars (Theta1 Orionis A-D). The dominant star is Theta1 Orionis C, which was imaged with ...

The resultis an ultra-clear glimpse of Theta 1 Orionis C, a mismatched pair of stars lockedin orbit around one another about 1,350 light-years from Earth. You may like Scientists find rare double ...