Barnard’s Loop around the Horsehead Nebula April 18, 2006
Posted by jtintle in APoD, Deep Space, Horsehead nebula, NASA, Space Fotos.comments closed
Credit & Copyright: Peter Erdman (Embry-Riddle U.)
Explanation: Why is the Horsehead Nebula surrounded by a bubble? Although 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 the small dark indentation near the image top, is the photogenic Flame Nebula.
Reflections on the Horsehead Nebula November 30, 2005
Posted by jtintle in Antilhue Observatory, APoD, Deep Space, Horsehead nebula, NASA, NGC 2023, Space Fotos.comments closed
Credit & Copyright: Daniel Verschatse (Antilhue Observatory)
Explanation: Sculpted by stellar winds and radiation, a magnificent interstellar dust cloud by chance has assumed this recognizable shape. Fittingly named the Horsehead Nebula, it is some 1,500 light-years distant, embedded in the vast Orion cloud complex. About five light-years “tall”, the dark cloud is cataloged as Barnard 33 and is visible only because its obscuring dust is silhouetted against the glowing red emission nebula IC 434. Contrasting blue reflection nebula NGC 2023 is visible on the lower left. In this gorgeous color image, both Horsehead and NGC 2023 seem to be caught in beams of light shining from above — but the beams are actually just internal reflections from bright star Sigma Orionis, just off the upper edge of the view.
Space Photos 