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Credit & Copyright: G. Greaney
Explanation:
Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble ...
Maybe
Macbeth should have
consulted the
Witch Head Nebula.
This suggestively shaped reflection nebula is associated with the bright star
Rigel in the constellation
Orion.
More formally known
as IC 2118, the Witch Head Nebula glows primarily by light
reflected from Rigel.
Rigel is located about one photo-width
off the image to the right. Fine
dust in the nebula reflects the light.
The blue color is caused not only by Rigel's blue color but because the
dust grains reflect blue light more efficiently than red.
The same physical process causes
Earth's daytime sky to appear blue, although the scatterers here are
molecules of
nitrogen and
oxygen. The nebula lies about 1000 light-years
away.
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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: Rigel - reflection nebula
Publications with words: Rigel - reflection nebula
See also: