NGC 1788 and the Witch's
Whiskers
This skyscape finds an esthetic balance of interstellar dust
and gas residing in the suburbs of the nebula rich constellation of Orion.
Reflecting the light of
bright star Rigel, Beta Orionis, the jutting, bluish chin of the Witch Head Nebula is at the upper left. Whiskers tracing the
red glow of hydrogen gas ionized by ultraviolet starlight seem to connect
that infamous visage with smaller nebulae, like dusty reflection nebula NGC
1788 at the right.
Strong winds from
Orion's bright stars have also shaped NGC 1788, and likely triggered the
formation of the young stars within. Appropriate for its location, NGC 1788
looks to some like a cosmic bat. The scene spans about 3 degrees on the sky or
6 full Moons.
