This is the Running Man Nebula. Found along the sword of Orion just north of the bright Orion Nebula complex, these nebulae are also associated with Orion’s giant molecular cloud which lies about 1,500 light-years away, but are dominated by the characteristic blue color of interstellar dust reflecting light from hot young stars. In this image, the bright blue color nebulosity is due to reflection and the purple regions are vast areas of hydrogen ionized by the massive stars. Taken together, the purple regions suggest to many the shape of a running man. Took this image over 9 hours.