IC434 · Horsehead Nebula
| Chinese name | 马头星云 |
|---|---|
| Type | Dark nebula |
| Constellation | Ori |
| RA | 05h41m |
| Dec | −02° |
| Apparent magnitude | 6.8ᵐ |
| Hemisphere | Both hemispheres |
| Best season | Winter |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Focal length | 中长焦 800–1200mm |
About
IC 434 is a bright ridge of glowing hydrogen near Alnitak in Orion, about 1,500 light-years away, ionized by the nearby hot star Sigma Orionis. The famous Horsehead Nebula (dark nebula Barnard 33) is silhouetted against this red glow. The ridge belongs to the vast Orion molecular cloud complex and is still forming new stars. Its red color comes from the hydrogen-alpha line, giving the whole region a deep rose hue in long exposures. Often framed with the Flame Nebula below, it is one of winter Orion's most iconic yet challenging targets.