In this recently obtained infrared NASA image, the Horsehead nebula loses the odd shape that landed it its moniker

Dec 27, 2014 08:59 GMT  ·  By

A new downright stunning NASA image details the anatomy of the Horsehead nebula and two of its cosmic companions, the Flame nebula, otherwise known as NGC 2024, and a somewhat smaller nebula dubbed NGC 2023.

The image in question, included in the gallery below, was obtained with the help of the Spitzer Space Telescope, an infrared space observatory launched over a decade ago, in 2003.

What's interesting is that, in this latest Spitzer Space Telescope image, the Horsehead nebula looks nothing like a horse or even a head, for that matter. On the contrary, it very much resembles an arc.

Astronomers with NASA explain that this is because, when the nebula is viewed in infrared light wavelength, the cosmic dust that gives it its distinctive shape is no longer visible.

A new image of the Horsehead nebula and its companions

As explained by scientists, nebulae are basically massive interstellar clouds of dust, hydrogen, helium and other gases. When observed in visible light, they look like ginormous and mind-bogglingly puffy cosmic structures.

However, the Spitzer Space Telescope shows that, when all the dust that comprises them is stripped away, their shape is not all that impressive. Thus, as mentioned, the Horsehead nebula looks like an arc when pictured in infrared light.

NASA astronomers explain that, in this space image, the colors blue and blue-green stand for light emitted at a wavelength of 3.6-microns and 4.5 microns, respectively. These light wavelengths originate from hot stars.

Mind you, it appears that not even the Spitzer Space Telescope managed to strip these cosmic structures of all the dust that comprises them. Thus, some cosmic dust is still visible in this image and is represented in the colors green and red.

Introducing the Horsehead nebula and its neighbors

The Horsehead nebula, together with NGC 2024 and NGC 2023, is part and parcel of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex, Space informs. The nebulae are located at a distance of about 1,200 light-years from our planet, which makes them rather close neighbors of ours.

In case anyone was wondering, NGC 2024, whose nickname is the Flame nebula, is shown at the center of the image. NGC 2023, on the other hand, is shown to the right, next to the Horsehead nebula.

Scientists say that the cavities distinguishable in the structure of both the Flame nebula and NGC 2023 were birthed by massive stars that formed inside them. Should they form other stars in the millennia to come, the nebulae will end up sporting even more such cavities.

NASA releases new image of the Horsehead nebula (5 Images)

Astronomers snap new image of the Horsehead nebula
In this image, the nebula looks like an arcThe Horsehead nebula sits 1,200 light-years away from Earth
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