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Credit & Copyright: Drew Sullivan
(Ancient Starlight)
Explanation:
Why is the
Horsehead Nebula surrounded by a bubble?
Although hard to make out above, the famous
Horsehead Nebula is the slight
dark indentation in the bright streak just to the left
of the image center.
Glowing like an
emission nebula, the origin of the
bubble, known as
Barnard's Loop, is currently unknown.
Progenitor hypotheses include the
winds
from bright Orion stars and the
supernovas
of stars long gone.
Barnard's Loop is too faint to be
identified with the unaided eye.
The nebula
was discovered only in 1895 by
E. E. Barnard on long duration film exposures.
The above image was taken in a single
specific color emitted
by
hydrogen to bring out detail.
To the left of the
Horsehead Nebula,
visible as a small dark indentation, is the photogenic
Flame Nebula, while the textured area just below it is
the Foxfur Nebula.
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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 - emission nebula
Publications with words: Horsehead Nebula - emission nebula
See also:
- APOD: 2025 July 16 B The Rosette Nebula from DECam
- APOD: 2025 July 5 B Ou4: The Giant Squid Nebula
- APOD: 2025 June 26 B The Seagull Nebula
- NGC 6164: A Dragon s Egg
- APOD: 2025 February 18 B Thors Helmet versus the Seagull
- APOD: 2025 February 11 B The Spider and the Fly
- APOD: 2024 December 17 B Near to the Heart Nebula