                        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.

                              2024 September 10
   The featured image a starfield that glows gold. On the left is the dark
   horsehead nebula, while on the right is the blue-glowing Orion Nebula.
          Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

                         Horsehead and Orion Nebulas
              Image Credit & Copyright: Antoine & Dalia Grelin

   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
   glow of hydrogen -- here shown in gold -- at the lower left. Alnitak is
   the easternmost star in Orion's belt and is seen as the brightest star
   just below and to the left of the Horsehead. To the left of 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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                     Tomorrow's picture: river meets sky
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