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Credit & Copyright: Victor Bertol
Explanation:
The Horsehead
Nebula is one of the most famous nebulae on the sky.
It is visible as the dark indentation to the red
emission nebula seen just below
and left of center in the
this photograph.
The brightest star on the left is located in the belt of the familiar
constellation Orion.
The horse-head
feature is dark because it is really an opaque
dust cloud that lies in
front of the bright red
emission nebula.
Like clouds in
Earth's atmosphere, this cosmic cloud has
assumed a
recognizable
shape by chance.
After many 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 that
preferentially reflect the blue light from
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: Horsehead Nebula - Orion
Publications with words: Horsehead Nebula - Orion
See also:
- A December Winter Night
- APOD: 2024 November 25 Á The Horsehead Nebula
- APOD: 2024 September 10 Á Horsehead and Orion Nebulas
- APOD: 2024 January 31 Á Camera Orion Rising
- APOD: 2024 January 16 Á The Orion You Can Almost See
- APOD: 2023 November 20 Á The Horsehead Nebula
- APOD: 2023 January 25 Á LDN 1622: The Boogeyman Nebula