NASA's Webb Telescope Captures Sharpest Ever Infrared Image Of Horsehead Nebula
- by in.mashable
- Apr 29, 2024
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A new image from the James Webb Space Telescope just dropped, its beautiful.
NASA says it is the sharpest infrared images ever captured of the Horsehead Nebula, a celestial marvel nestled within the Orion constellation. These breathtaking observations offer a new perspective on the intricate details of this iconic cosmic structure, shedding light on its composition and evolution.
Horsehead Nebula: Yeigh or Neigh? 🐴
The Horsehead Nebula is famously known for…looking like a horse’s head. Webb captured the top of the "horse's mane," giving us the sharpest infrared images of the region to date: https://t.co/2SDdbAOkYM pic.twitter.com/0zWxukU4EA — NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) April 29, 2024
Situated approximately 1,300 light-years away, the Horsehead Nebula, also known as Barnard 33, emerges from the dense Orion B molecular cloud, resembling the silhouette of a horse's head against the backdrop of interstellar space.
The views were acquired by Webb's Near-infrared Camera (NIRCam) which zoomed in on the illuminated edge of this ethereal nebula.
The Horsehead nebula observed by Euclid, Hubble and Webb telescopes. Image: NASA
A zoomed in view of the Horsehead nebula. Image: NASA
The infrared images captured by Webb's NIRCam unveil a stunning vista of the Horsehead's top, measuring about 0.8 light-years across. Within this cosmic tapestry, young stars twinkle through the luminous blueish clouds, while distant galaxies dot the celestial canvas.
According to NASA, the nebula formed from the gravitational collapse of an interstellar cloud and its glowing appearance fueled by the radiant energy of nearby hot stars.
Department of Communication
Aug 01, 2011
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