Hubble Sees a Horsehead of a Different Color

http://www.dearastronomer.com/

Researchers using the Hubble Space Telescope have released a new image of the iconic Horsehead Nebula. The release of this image coincides with the upcoming 23rd anniversary of the space-based observatory being launched into space aboard space shuttle Discovery on April 24, 1990.

A mainstay of astronomy textbooks, the Horsehead Nebula is one of many targets favored by backyard astronomers. In visible light, the nebula is shadowy, but when viewed in the infrared portion of electromagnetic spectrum the nebula appears striking. In addition, many stars and distant galaxies are also visible when viewing the Horsehead Nebula in infrared.

For over twenty years, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided astronomers with breathtaking views of our universe. Several Space Shuttle missions were devoted to upgrading and maintaining HST, including the most recent servicing mission in 2009.

Source: NASA Image Of The Day Gallery

Ray Sanders is a Sci-Fi geek, astronomer and blogger. Currently researching variable stars at Arizona State University, he writes for Universe Today, The Planetary Society blog, and his own blog, Dear Astronomer