Horsehead Nebula: Difference between revisions
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I think it's useful to make clear that it only looks like that from our viewpoint... |
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| names = IC 434, Barnard 33,<br />LDN 1630, M3T 31,<br />[OS98] 52}} |
| names = IC 434, Barnard 33,<br />LDN 1630, M3T 31,<br />[OS98] 52}} |
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The '''Horsehead Nebula''' (also known as '''Barnard 33''' in bright nebula '''IC 434''') is a [[dark nebula]] in the constellation [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]]. The nebula is located just below (to the south of) [[Alnitak]], the star farthest left on Orion's Belt, and is part of the much larger [[Orion Molecular Cloud Complex]]. Using Orion's belt, we can locate Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. The Horsehead Nebula is approximately 1500 [[light year]]s from Earth. It is one of the most identifiable nebulae because of the shape of its swirling cloud of dark dust and gases, which is similar to that of a [[horse]]'s head. The shape was first noticed in 1888 by [[Williamina Fleming]] on photographic plate B2312 taken at the [[Harvard College]] Observatory. |
The '''Horsehead Nebula''' (also known as '''Barnard 33''' in bright nebula '''IC 434''') is a [[dark nebula]] in the constellation [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]]. The nebula is located just below (to the south of) [[Alnitak]], the star farthest left on Orion's Belt, and is part of the much larger [[Orion Molecular Cloud Complex]]. Using Orion's belt, we can locate Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. The Horsehead Nebula is approximately 1500 [[light year]]s from Earth. It is one of the most identifiable nebulae because of the shape of its swirling cloud of dark dust and gases, which is similar to that of a [[horse]]'s head when viewed from Earth. The shape was first noticed in 1888 by [[Williamina Fleming]] on photographic plate B2312 taken at the [[Harvard College]] Observatory. |
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The red glow originates from [[hydrogen]] gas predominantly behind the nebula, ionized by the nearby bright star [[Sigma Orionis]]. The darkness of the Horsehead is caused mostly by thick dust, although the lower part of the Horsehead's neck casts a shadow to the left. Streams of gas leaving the nebula are funneled by a strong [[magnetic field]]. Bright spots in the Horsehead Nebula's base are young stars just in the process of forming. |
The red glow originates from [[hydrogen]] gas predominantly behind the nebula, ionized by the nearby bright star [[Sigma Orionis]]. The darkness of the Horsehead is caused mostly by thick dust, although the lower part of the Horsehead's neck casts a shadow to the left. Streams of gas leaving the nebula are funneled by a strong [[magnetic field]]. Bright spots in the Horsehead Nebula's base are young stars just in the process of forming. |
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Revision as of 10:44, 12 June 2010
| Nebula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Observation data: J2000.0 epoch | |
| Right ascension | 05h 40m 59.0s |
| Declination | −02° 27′ 30.0" |
| Distance | 1,500 ly ly |
| Apparent dimensions (V) | 8 × 6 arcmins |
| Constellation | Orion |
| Notable features | Resembles a horse's head |
| Designations | IC 434, Barnard 33, LDN 1630, M3T 31, [OS98] 52 |
The Horsehead Nebula (also known as Barnard 33 in bright nebula IC 434) is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion. The nebula is located just below (to the south of) Alnitak, the star farthest left on Orion's Belt, and is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. Using Orion's belt, we can locate Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. The Horsehead Nebula is approximately 1500 light years from Earth. It is one of the most identifiable nebulae because of the shape of its swirling cloud of dark dust and gases, which is similar to that of a horse's head when viewed from Earth. The shape was first noticed in 1888 by Williamina Fleming on photographic plate B2312 taken at the Harvard College Observatory.
The red glow originates from hydrogen gas predominantly behind the nebula, ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orionis. The darkness of the Horsehead is caused mostly by thick dust, although the lower part of the Horsehead's neck casts a shadow to the left. Streams of gas leaving the nebula are funneled by a strong magnetic field. Bright spots in the Horsehead Nebula's base are young stars just in the process of forming.
External links
- The Horsehead Nebula @ The Electronic Sky
- Hubble Observes the Horsehead Nebula
- The discovery of early photographs of the Horsehead nebula, by Waldee and Hazen
- The Horsehead Nebula in the 19th Century, by Waldee
- Detection of new nebulae by photography, by Pickering
- Horsehead Nebula at ESA/Hubble
- The Horsehead Nebula at the Astro-Photography site of Mr. T. Yoshida.
- The Horsehead-Nebula and neighboring structures in a classical view
- The Horsehead Nebula on interactive astro-photography survey at Wikisky.org
- The Horsehead-Nebula imaged with a semiprofessional amateur-telescope