images

Barnard's loop nebula and Orion constellation

by

S.Guisard/R.Gendler/Novapix

Reference

a-neb19-76509

Date

2007-05-09

Barnard's Loop is a faint emission nebula in the constellation of Orion. The main stars of this constellation are two supergiant stars, Betelgeuse (up left) and Rigel (bottom right). Barnard's Loop is part of a giant molecular cloud which also contains the Horsehead and Orion nebulae (center of the image). The stars within the Orion Nebula are believed to be responsible for ionizing the loop.