                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2021 May 9

                         Horsehead and Orion Nebulas
      Image Credit & Copyright: Roberto Colombari & Federico Pelliccia

   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 reflection nebula sometimes called the Running Man. Pervasive
   tendrils of glowing hydrogen gas are easily traced throughout the
   region.

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