Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Orion (Ori)  ·  Contains:  B33  ·  Horsehead nebula  ·  IC 434  ·  NGC 2023  ·  Sh2-277
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Horsehead Nebula in HaRGB, KuriousGeorge
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Horsehead Nebula in HaRGB

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
Horsehead Nebula in HaRGB, KuriousGeorge
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Horsehead Nebula in HaRGB

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Description

The dark cloud of dust and gas is a region in the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex where star formation is taking place. It is located in the constellation of Orion, which, seen from the northern hemisphere, is prominent in the sky on winter evenings. This stellar nursery, as it is known, can contain over 100 known kinds of organic and inorganic gases as well as dust; some of the latter is made up of large and complex organic molecules.

The red or pinkish glow originates from hydrogen gas predominantly behind the nebula, ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orionis. Magnetic fields channel the gases leaving the nebula into streams, shown as streaks in the background glow. A glowing strip of hydrogen gas marks the edge of the massive cloud, and the densities of nearby stars are noticeably different on either side

The heavy concentrations of dust in the Horsehead Nebula region and neighbouring Orion Nebula are localized, resulting in alternating sections of nearly complete opacity and transparency. The darkness of the Horsehead is caused mostly by thick dust blocking the light of stars behind it. The lower part of the Horsehead's neck casts a shadow to the left. The visible dark nebula emerging from the gaseous complex is an active site of the formation of "low-mass" stars. Bright spots in the Horsehead Nebula's base are young stars just in the process of forming.

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  • Horsehead Nebula in HaRGB, KuriousGeorge
    Original
  • Final
    Horsehead Nebula in HaRGB, KuriousGeorge
    B

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Horsehead Nebula in HaRGB, KuriousGeorge