14 DAY TRIAL // The Orion Nebula sits at a distance of about 1,344 light-years away from our home planet, which is why we can't see it simply by looking at the sky through our bedroom window.
For comparison purposes, it must be said that the distance between Earth and the Sun is one of just 8 light-minutes. So yes, this nebula is way out of our reach.
However, thanks to a bunch of space enthusiasts who not too long ago shared a positively stunning GIF with the online community, we can now get a better idea of what it would be like to have the Orion Nebula sit closer to Earth.
The GIF, available below, shows what the night sky would look like if this nebula were located at a distance of merely 4 light-years from our planet. Spoiler alert: the sight is so stunning it might give you brain damage.
According to astronomers who have taken the time to study it, the Orion Nebula, otherwise known as Messier 42, measures an impressive 40 light-years across.
This is why having it way closer to our planet than its current location would drastically transform our night sky. Granted, the images included in the GIF below have all been color-processed, so the actual view would not be this mind-blowing. It would still be pretty impressive.
