[3] It is located at a distance of 1,300 ly (400 pc) from the Sun, and is positioned ~15′ to the northeast of the Horsehead Nebula.

[2] This star-forming nebula forms part of the Orion B molecular cloud,[2] or Lynds 1630, and is located in the northern section of this complex.

[5] The reflection nebula is illuminated by the Herbig Ae/Be star HD 37903, which has a spectral class of about B2 Ve.

[5] The region around the central star is radiating fluorescent molecular hydrogen emission at a near-infrared range.

[6][7] Infrared emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been detected from the nebula's dust.