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Credit & Copyright: Anglo-Australian Telescope
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Explanation:
The black indentation to the red
emission nebula
seen just to the right of
center of the above photograph is one of the most famous features in any
nebulae on the sky. Because of its shape, it is known as the
Horsehead
Nebula. The bright star near the center is
located in the belt of the familiar constellation of Orion.
The horse head feature is dark because it is really a dense
dust cloud which lies
in front of the bright nebula and blocks the light.
Like clouds in our sky, this cosmic cloud has chanced to assume
a recognizable shape. After thousands of years, the
internal motions of the cloud will alter its appearance.
The emission nebula's
red color is caused by electrons recombining with protons to form
hydrogen atoms.
Also visible in the picture are blue
reflection nebulae.
This type of nebula contains dust which
preferentially reflects the blue light of nearby stars.
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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:
- APOD: 2026 March 2 Á The Dusty Surroundings of Orion and the Pleiades
- APOD: 2026 February 18 Á Orions Cradle
- APOD: 2026 February 2 Á Orion: The Running Man Nebula
- APOD: 2026 January 28 Á M78: Reflecting Blue in a Sea of Red
- APOD: 2026 January 27 Á Orions Treasures over Snowy Mountains
- LDN 1622: Dark Nebula in Orion
- The Horsehead Nebula