Horsehead nebula

The Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) is an iconic dark nebula in the constellation Orion. Along with the nearby Flame Nebula (NGC 2024), this region is one of my absolute favorite deep-sky targets to shoot with my DSLR camera and telescope.

A different astronomy and space science related image is featured each day, along with a brief explanation.

Blue Horsehead Nebula by Tomasso Massimo Stella cropped mobile wallpaper 1080x2400

The constellation of Orion is rich with impressive nebulas. Of the many interesting details that particularly draws the eye is Barnard's Loop, the bright red circular filament arcing down from the middle. The bright orange star on the upper left is Betelgeuse, while the bright blue star on the lower right is Rigel. Other famous nebulas visible include the Witch Head Nebula, the Flame Nebula, and the comparatively small Horsehead Nebula. NASA-APOD, Stanislav Volskiy.

Giant Blue Star in the Orion Constellation near the Flame Nebula & Horsehead Nebula Cropped close up mobile wallpaper 1080x2400

The Horsehead & Flame Nebula & Bright star Alnitak by Marzena Rogozińska cropped mobile wallpaper 1080x2400

The iconic Horsehead Nebula is a dense gas cloud in the Orion Nebula.

The Horsehead Nebula (aka Barnard 33 in the bright nebula IC 434) is a dark nebula in the Orion constellation. The nebula is located just south of Alnitak, the star furthest east on Orion's Belt. It is approximately 1500 light years from Earth. The darkness of the Horsehead is caused mostly by obscuring 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. The nebula is also an active star…