IC 434: The Horse Head Nebula
At a distance of 1200 light years the horse head nebula is located in the constellation Orion just below the
hunter's belt.  Although this very faint nebula is not visible in most telescopes it shows up in amazing
detail on long photographs.  The red glowing gas results from hot young stars which ionize the
surrounding hydrogen gas.  The horse head shape in the center of this photograph is formed by dark gas
and dust which blocks the ionized hydrogen in the background.
 

Photographic Information:
Instrument:  Astro-Physics 130 mm EDT
Exposure:  80 minute exposure.
Date:  November 1999
Location:  Lyons Colorado
Film:  PPF 400
Guiding:  80 mm Celestron with an ST-4 auto-guider.
Notes:  Some light pollution to the south.