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Astronomy Picture of the Day
NASA ^
| 5/27/07
| Nigel Sharp
Posted on 05/27/2007 4:13:32 AM PDT by sig226
The Horsehead Nebula
Credit & Copyright: Nigel Sharp (NOAO), KPNO, AURA, NSF
Explanation: One of the most identifiable nebulae in the sky, the Horsehead Nebula in Orion, is part of a large, dark, molecular cloud. Also known as Barnard 33, the unusual shape was first discovered on a photographic plate in the late 1800s. The red glow originates from hydrogen gas predominantly behind the nebula, ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orionis. The darkness of the Horsehead is caused mostly by thick dust, although the lower part of the Horsehead's neck casts a shadow to the left. Streams of gas leaving the nebula are funneled by a strong magnetic field. Bright spots in the Horsehead Nebula's base are young stars just in the process of forming. Light takes about 1500 years to reach us from the Horsehead Nebula. The above image was taken with the 0.9-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory.
TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Astronomy; Astronomy Picture of the Day; Science
KEYWORDS: apod; horseheadnebula
1
posted on
05/27/2007 4:13:33 AM PDT
by
sig226
To: fnord; Number57; KevinDavis; rdb3; MNJohnnie; thoughtomator; RightWhale; proudofthesouth; ...
2
posted on
05/27/2007 4:15:43 AM PDT
by
sig226
(Where did my tag line go?)
To: sig226
Where is this one located - which star?
3
posted on
05/27/2007 4:44:15 AM PDT
by
gotribe
( I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution... - Grover Cleveland.)
To: gotribe
I think it's this one..
"ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orionis.
4
posted on
05/27/2007 5:14:29 AM PDT
by
Bigh4u2
(Denial is the first requirement to be a liberal)
To: gotribe
5
posted on
05/27/2007 5:17:15 AM PDT
by
kanawa
(Don't go where you're looking, look where you're going.)
To: sig226
Always interesting to see.
6
posted on
05/27/2007 6:16:00 AM PDT
by
mtbopfuyn
(I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
To: kanawa
7
posted on
05/27/2007 1:11:16 PM PDT
by
gotribe
( I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution... - Grover Cleveland.)
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