  The Orion Molecular Cloud 2/3 region (hereafter, OMC-2/3) and the reflection
nebula NGC 1977 encompass a section of the Orion A molecular cloud undergoing
vigorous star forming activity. One of the richest assemblages of protostars in
the nearest 500 pc is seen in OMC-2/3, while NGC 1977 contains a cluster of
over 100 young stars. In this review, we present a census of the protostars,
pre-main sequence stars, and young brown dwarfs in these regions. These are
identified through sub-millimeter surveys, far-red to near-infrared imaging and
spectroscopy with ground-based telescopes, mid-infrared photometry from the
Spitzer Space Telescope, and X-ray observations made with the Chandra X-ray
Observatory. We present an overview of the distribution of molecular gas
associated with these regions and the rich complex of shock heated nebulae
created by the young stars interacting with the molecular gas. Finally, we
discuss the relationship of OMC-2/3 and NGC 1977 to the neighboring Orion
Nebula Cluster and the Orion OB1 association.
