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> The Horsehead nebula in Orion

The Horsehead nebula in Orion

author: NASA/ESA/NOAO/Novapix

reference: a-nec04-34007

Image Size 300 DPI: 24 * 17 cm

The Horsehead, also known as Barnard 33, is a cold, dark cloud of gas and dust, silhouetted against the bright nebula, IC 434. The bright area at the top left edge is a young star still embedded in its nursery of gas and dust. Radiation from this hot star is eroding its gaseous birthplace. A massive star located outside Hubble's view is, in a similar fashion, sculpting the top of the Horsehead itself. The Horsehead, located in the constellation Orion, is a cousin of the famous pillars of dust and gas known as the Eagle nebula. Both tower-like nebulae are cocoons of young stars.

Keywords for this photo:

2001 - ASTRONOMY - B33 - BARNARD 33 - DARK NEBULA - HORSEHEAD - HST - HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - NEBULA - ORION - STAR - STAR FORMATION -