Search Here

To celebrate the 23th anniversary of Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers released a new picture of iconic Horsehead Nebula.

And, again, just like twelve years ago when astronomers did the same at the 11th anniversary of the HST, Horsehead Nebula looks stunning.

Now this picture of the a vaporous cloud of dust, rising in waves of interstellar foam within the vastness of space is special not only about beauty, but also about technology. These are the first pictures of the iconic nebula captured using infrared light. The new technology has allowed scientists look at the nebula in completely new light. Literally.

The nebula was first discovered more than one hundred years ago. Since then, it has inspired astronomy books and has become a favorite target for amateur and professional astronomers. Merely a shadow in optical light, it blooms in rich colors and seems ethereal at infrared wavelengths. Set against the rich tapestry of the Milky Way stars and distant galaxies, it's certainly a sight to behold.

The Horse Head Nebula (also goes by Barnard 33 in bright nebula IC 434). It was named after the horse head shape in its middle. It was discovered by Williamina Fleming in 1888 at Harvard University.

Nebulae are interstellar clouds of dust, hydrogen, helium and other ionized gases. In these regions, the gas, dust and other materials tend to "clump" together to form larger masses. This, in turn, can attract further matter and eventually help form stars.
The nebula itself is actually part of the Orion Molecular Cloud, which is located about 1,500 light-years away in the constellation Orion. The cloud contains well-known objects such as the Great Orion Nebula (M42), the Flame Nebula and Barnard's Loop. It's one of the nearest and most easily photographed regions of space where massive stars are being formed.
In the image, the nebula is illuminated by Sigma Orionis, a young five-year start system just out of view. Along the top of the nebula's ridge, two fledgling stars peek out from their now-exposed nurseries.