images

The Horsehead nebula in Orion

by

A.Block/MLSC/Univ.of Az/Novapix

Reference

a-nec04-34022

Date

2009-11-15

The Horsehead nebula is located in the constellation of Orion, slightly below the left-most star of the three that form the Hunter's belt. It is part of a vast molecular cloud of dust and gas that includes the Great Orion Nebula and extends throughout the entire constellation as well. Here, we see the Horsehead as it appeared 1,500 years ago, due to distance and the time it takes light to travel.