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Credit: Star Shadows Remote Observatory
Explanation:
The famous Horsehead Nebula in Orion is not alone.
A deep exposure shows that the
dark familiar shaped indentation,
visible just below center, is part of a
vast complex of absorbing
dust and
glowing gas.
To bring out details of the
Horsehead's
pasture, amateur astronomers at the
Star Shadow Remote Observatory in
New Mexico,
USA
fixed a
small telescope on the region for over seven hours filtering out all but a
very specific color
of
red light emitted by
hydrogen.
They then added the image to a full color frame taken over three hours.
The resulting
spectacular picture details an intricate tapestry of gaseous wisps and dust-laden
filaments that were created and sculpted over eons by
stellar winds
and
ancient supernovas.
The Horsehead Nebula lies 1,500
light years
distant towards the
constellation of
Orion.
Two stars from the Orion's Belt
can be found in the
above image.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Orion - Horsehead Nebula
Publications with words: Orion - Horsehead Nebula
See also: