Exposures: 4 hrs of Ha (10 min subs) and 30 min each RGB (5 min subs) for total of 5.5 hrs.
From Wiki: The Horsehead Nebula (also known as Barnard 33) is a dark nebula that resides in the emission nebula IC434. B33 is located just to the south of the star Alnitak (the bright blue star) which is farthest east on Orion's Belt. The dark cloud of dust and gas is a region in the Orion Molecular Cloud where star formation is taking place. This stellar nursery can contain over 100 known organic and inorganic gases as well as dust consisting of large and complex organic molecules. The red or pinkish glow originates from hydrogen gas predominantly behind the nebula, ionized by the Sigma Orionis (brighter star near top of frame). Magnetic fields channel the gases leaving the nebula into streams, shown as streaks in the background glow.
For a facinating video of Hubble's Horsehead, commemorating HST's 23rd anniversary click here
FOV =75 x 65 arc minutes
1,500 light years away
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