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Horsehead Nebula

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Horsehead Nebula
Dark nebula
diffuse
The entire neighborhood of the nebula. The reflection nebula NGC 2023 is in the bottom left corner and the nebula itself near the center, in the shape of the head of a horse.
Observation data: J2000.0 epoch
Right ascension05h 40m 59.0s
Declination−02° 27′ 30.0"
Distance1.5 kly ly
Apparent dimensions (V)8 × 6 arcmins
ConstellationOrion
Notable featuresResembles a horse's head
DesignationsBarnard 33,
LDN 1630,
See also: Lists of nebulae

The Horsehead Nebula (also known as Barnard 33) is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion.[1] The nebula is located just to the south of the star Alnitak, which is farthest east on Orion's Belt, and is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. The nebula was first recorded in 1888 by Scottish astronomer Williamina Fleming on photographic plate B2312 taken at the Harvard College Observatory. The Horsehead Nebula is approximately 1500 light years from Earth. It is one of the most identifiable nebulae because of the shape of its swirling cloud of dark dust and gases, which bears some resemblance to a horse's head when viewed from Earth.[2]

Overview

The dark cloud of dust and gas is a region in the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex where star formation is taking place. It is located in the constellation of Orion, which, seen from the northern hemisphere, is prominent in the sky on winter evenings. This stellar nursery, as it is known, can contain over 100 known kinds of organic and inorganic gases as well as dust; some of the latter is made up of large and complex organic molecules.

The red or pinkish glow originates from hydrogen gas predominantly behind the nebula, ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orionis. Magnetic fields channel the gases leaving the nebula into streams, shown as streaks in the background glow.[3] A glowing strip of hydrogen gas marks the edge of the massive cloud, and the densities of nearby stars are noticeably different on either side.

The heavy concentrations of dust in the Horsehead Nebula region and neighbouring Orion Nebula are localized, resulting in alternating sections of nearly complete opacity and transparency.[4] The darkness of the Horsehead is caused mostly by thick dust blocking the light of stars behind it.[5] The lower part of the Horsehead's neck casts a shadow to the left.[6] The visible dark nebula emerging from the gaseous complex is an active site of the formation of "low-mass" stars. Bright spots in the Horsehead Nebula's base are young stars just in the process of forming. It has a magnitude of .11.

  • Horsehead Nebula and Alnitak (WH Pickering; 1888).
    Horsehead Nebula and Alnitak (WH Pickering; 1888).
  • View with a regular telescope and camera.
    View with a regular telescope and camera.
  • View from the HST (infrared).
    View from the HST (infrared).
  • View from the ESO (2002).
    View from the ESO (2002).
Click Here for Animated map – Orion's Horsehead Nebula – yellow and white areas have the most intense radiation from carbon atoms (March 2016).

See also

References

  1. ^ Arnett, Bill (2000). "Horsehead Nebula". Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  2. ^ Sharp, Nigel (2014). "The Horsehead Nebula". National Optical Astronomy Observatory. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  3. ^ "The Horsehead Nebula/IC434". National Optical Astronomy Observatory. NOAO. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  4. ^ Morgan, W.W.; Lodén, Kerstin (1966). "Some Characteristics of the Orion Association". Vistas in Astronomy. 8: 83–88. Bibcode:1966VA......8...83M. doi:10.1016/0083-6656(66)90023-7. ISSN 0083-6656.
  5. ^ Mayo Greenberg, J (2002). "Cosmic dust and our origins". Surface Science. 500 (1–3): 793–822. Bibcode:2002SurSc.500..793M. doi:10.1016/S0039-6028(01)01555-2. ISSN 0039-6028.
  6. ^ "Astronomy Picture of the Day, 21 July 2009". Astronomy Picture of the Day. NASA. 21 July 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
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