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Credit & Copyright: Loke Kun Tan
(StarryScapes)
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 above and to the right of center in the
above photograph.
The bright star on the left is located in the
belt of the familiar constellation of Orion.
The
horse-head
feature is dark because it is really an opaque
dust cloud which 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,
which 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: Orion - Horsehead Nebula
Publications with words: Orion - Horsehead Nebula
See also: