How to find in the sky the Orion Nebula?

The Orion Nebula (also known as Messier 42, M42, or NGC 1976) is a diffuse nebula situated south of Orion's Belt. It is one of the brightest nebulae, and is visible to the naked eye in the night sky. M42 is located at a distance of 1,270 light years away +/- 76 light years away (previous distance estimates of 1500 light years have been replaced with newer measurements), and is the closest region of star formation to Earth. The M42 nebula is estimated to be 30 light years across. Older texts frequently referred to the Orion Nebula as the Great Nebula in Orion or the Great Orion Nebula. Yet older, astrological texts refer to it as Ensis, which is also the name of the star Eta Orionis.

The Orion Nebula is visible with the naked eye even from areas affected by some light pollution. However in that kind as the nebula is shown on many impressing photos, it not probably to see with the eye, even in a large telescope. Such photos turn out only at long time exposure.

To find the Orion Nebula, , you should find all over again Orion (see a map below). Constellation of Orion is well visible in the autumn and not visible in the spring.