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Credit & Copyright:
Composition and Processing: Robert Gendler
Image Data: ESO, VISTA, HLA, Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
Explanation:
Combined image data from the massive,
ground-based
VISTA telescope and the
Hubble Space
Telescope was used to create
this
wide perspective
of the interstellar landscape surrounding
the famous Horsehead Nebula.
Captured at near-infrared wavelengths, the region's dusty
molecular cloud sprawls across the scene that covers
an angle about
two-thirds the size of the Full Moon on the sky.
Left to right the frame spans just over 10 light-years
at the Horsehead's estimated distance of 1,600 light-years.
Also known as
Barnard 33,
the still
recognizable Horsehead Nebula
stands at the upper right,
the near-infrared glow of a dusty pillar topped with newborn stars.
Below and left, the bright reflection nebula NGC 2023 is itself
the illuminated environs of a hot young star.
Dense clouds
below the base of the Horsehead and on the outskirts of
NGC 2023 show the tell-tale far red emission of energetic jets,
known as Herbig-Haro objects,
also associated with newborn stars.
Composition and Processing: Robert Gendler
Image Data: ESO, VISTA, HLA, Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
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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 - dark nebula
Publications with words: Horsehead Nebula - dark nebula
See also: