The Horsehead Nebula lives approximately 1,500 light-years away from Earth. This nebula gets its name from the shape of the dark cloud of dust in front of a vibrant red emission nebula (IC 434). It is one of the most photographed and identifiable nebulae in the night sky. The reflection...
Horsehead Nebula, (catalog number IC 434), ionized-hydrogen region in the constellation Orion. The nebula consists of a cloud of ionized gas lit from within by young, hot stars; a dark cloud containing interstellar dust lies immediately in front. The dus