Table of Contents
Where did the Horsehead Nebula come from?
Rising like a giant seahorse from turbulent waves of dust and gas is the Horsehead Nebula, otherwise known as Barnard 33. The nebula formed from a collapsing interstellar cloud of material, and glows as it is illuminated by a nearby hot star [1].
How was the Flame nebula formed?
The two carved-out cavities of the Flame nebula and NGC 2023 were created by the destructive glare of recently formed massive stars within their confines. They can be seen tracing a spine of glowing dust that runs through the image.
Where is the Horsehead in the Horsehead Nebula?
RA 5h 40m 59s | Dec -2° 27′ 30″
Horsehead Nebula/Coordinates
What is the Horsehead Nebula called?
Barnard 33
Although most people know the distinctive cloud of gas as the Horsehead Nebula, its official name is Barnard 33, or B33. It was first imaged at Harvard College Observatory in 1888 on photographic plates.
Who discovered the Horsehead Nebula?
Williamina Fleming
Horsehead Nebula/Discoverers
History. The nebula was first recorded in 1888 by Scottish astronomer Williamina Fleming on a photographic plate taken at the Harvard College Observatory. One of the first descriptions was made by E. E. Barnard, describing it as: “Dark mass, diam.
Is Earth in Horsehead Nebula?
1,500 light years
Horsehead Nebula/Distance to Earth
Who discovered Flame Nebula?
Wilhelm Herschel
The Flame Nebula was discovered by Wilhelm Herschel in 1786. Also visible at top right IC 432 and IC 431, two nebulas that brightly reflect Alnitak’s light.
What type of nebula is the Swan nebula?
Emission nebula
Omega Nebula
Emission nebula | |
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Constellation | Sagittarius |
Physical characteristics | |
Radius | 11 ly |
Designations | M17, Swan Nebula, Sharpless 45, RCW 160, Gum 81 |
What is the Horsehead Nebula made of?
gas
Horsehead Nebula, (catalog number IC 434), ionized-hydrogen region in the constellation Orion. The nebula consists of a cloud of ionized gas lit from within by young, hot stars; a dark cloud containing interstellar dust lies immediately in front. The dust absorbs the light from part of the ionized cloud.
When was the Horsehead Nebula formed?
The Horsehead Nebula is approximately 422 parsecs or 1,375 light-years from Earth. It is one of the most identifiable nebulae because of its resemblance to a horse’s head….Horsehead Nebula.
Dark nebula | |
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Designations | Barnard 33, LDN 1630, IC 434 |
See also: Lists of nebulae |
What is being formed inside the Horsehead Nebula?
The Horsehead Nebula is shown in red and green with the ionized region next to the cloud shown in blue. Bally’s team found that the radiation from the nearby stars creates hot plasma that compresses the cold gas inside the Horsehead, but the compression is insufficient to trigger the birth of additional stars.
Is Horsehead Nebula visible from Earth?
Both tower-like nebulas are cocoons of young stars. The Horsehead nebula lies just south of the bright star Zeta Orionis, which is easily visible to the unaided eye as the left-hand star in the line of three that form Orion’s Belt.