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The Horsehead Nebula is a dark nebula in the bright nebula IC 434 in
the Orion constellation. Shaped like a horse's head, it's
approximately 1,500ly (light years) from Earth, and is approximately
3.5ly wide. The red glow originates from hydrogen gas predominantly
behind the nebula, ionized by the nearby bright star Sigma Orionis.
The darkness of the Horsehead is caused mostly by thick dust. NGC2024
or the Flame Nebula is near the easternmost star in Orion's Belt,
Alnitak. Alnitak, also known as Zeta Orionis, ionizes the nebula and
is responsible for its glow. |
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