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Keyword: whichheadnebula

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  • Astronomy Picture of the Day -- IC 2118: The Witch Head Nebula

    01/16/2012 9:18:55 PM PST · by SunkenCiv · 37 replies
    NASA ^ | January 17, 2012 | (see photo credit)
    Explanation: Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble -- maybe Macbeth should have consulted the Witch Head Nebula. This suggestively shaped reflection nebula is associated with the bright star Rigel in the constellation Orion. More formally known as IC 2118, the Witch Head Nebula glows primarily by light reflected from bright star Rigel, located just below the lower edge of the above image. Fine dust in the nebula reflects the light. The blue color is caused not only by Rigel's blue color but because the dust grains reflect blue light more efficiently than red. The same physical...