APOD: Horsehead and Orion Nebulas (2010 Oct 05)

[APOD Robot]

Horsehead and Orion Nebulas

Explanation: The dark Horsehead Nebula and the glowing Orion Nebula are contrasting cosmic vistas. Adrift 1,500 light-years away in one of the night sky's most recognizable constellations, they appear in opposite corners of the above stunning mosaic. The familiar Horsehead nebula appears as a dark cloud, a small silhouette notched against the long red glow at the lower left. Alnitak is the easternmost star in Orion's belt and is seen as the brightest star to the left of the Horsehead. Below Alnitak is the Flame Nebula, with clouds of bright emission and dramatic dark dust lanes. The magnificent emission region, the Orion Nebula (aka M42), lies at the upper right. Immediately to its left is a prominent bluish reflection nebula sometimes called the Running Man. Pervasive tendrils of glowing hydrogen gas are easily traced throughout the region.

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[emc]

The Horsehead Nebula is a relatively small outcropping in this beautiful image. I’m having fun with what I see as a fierce dragon with claws bared and wings spread in the upper right quadrant of the mosaic. So much to see!

[orin stepanek]

The Horsehead Nebula is a relatively small outcropping in this beautiful image. I’m having fun with what I see as a fierce dragon with claws bared and wings spread in the upper right quadrant of the mosaic. So much to see!

The Horsehead itself could be looked on as the Loch Ness Monster!

Click to play embedded YouTube video.

[emc]

Say, maybe we should name the Horsehead Nebula, “Nellie”… after “Nessie”… but that would give the nebula a female name… would that be a good idea??... Probably ok if someone doesn't have an ex-girlfriend with that name… that liked horses… and nebulae.

Zarmina s World

... the planet is designated Gliese 581g, but Vogt's more personal name is Zarmina's world, after his wife ...

A Tour de Force of Planetary Discovery
Centauri Dreams | 04 Oct 2010

Steven Vogt (UC-Santa Cruz) is suddenly the buzz of the blogosphere, though not in ways he might have intended. The designer of the HIRES spectrometer that made the detection of Gliese 581g possible, Vogt can claim pride of place as the discoverer of the first near-Earth mass planet found in the habitable zone of its star. But he’s also taking his lumps for saying that he could all but guarantee life on that planet. An unwise call, as many commenters here have noted. Perhaps even more unwise is his hope to name the new planet after his wife, Zarmina.

Centauri Dreams has nothing against the notion of naming celestial objects for loved ones, but caution should always be the byword. Suppose, for example, that Mrs. Vogt, fed up with publicity and tired of the company of astronomers, should surprise her husband by leaving him. Vogt’s ex would be forever enshrined in the celestial sphere, a taunting presence whenever the poor man thought of the Gl 581 system.

[biddie67]

This photo is a true reality experience - most photos show the Horsehead as an enormous feature - seemingly dwarfing everything around it. This photo gives a perspective that shatters that impression decisively!!

Magnificent view ....

[mexhunter]

Certainly is a very pretty picture, but I prefer another APOD for the same region.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090929.html

Greetings
César

[Ann]

Yes, Rogelio's image is the best! It's amazing! And the colors in his image are absolutely stunning, too.

Not that today's image isn't good....

Ann

[mexhunter]

Hi Ann:



Greetings
César

[Beyond]

WOW!!!! For me, mexhunter has out done the Apod this day!!

[biddie67]

Thanks mexhunter for posting up Rogelio's video - it is a wonderful insight into his love for astrophotography.

[Ann]

Yes, thank you very much for Rogelio's video, César!

Ann

[cliffhardin67@yahoo.com]

ive always been in awe when viewing photos of m42 and the horsehead nebula. this photo captures a spectacular view of both of them and so much more ! ive never seen them in a wide field of view this way and to say the least it is stunning ! GREAT JOB !