My favourite deep space image is that of the M42 Nebula in Orion. Purely for aesthetic reasons, as this cloud of gas where new stars are being born, has formed itself into the shape of a horses head! M42 is probably one of the most photographed regions of space, not only because of the Horses Head, but the whole cloud of stellar gas is illuminated in beautiful red and purple colours.

The red glow comes from hydrogen gas located behind the nebula,  ionized by the bright star Sigma Orionis. We can see the Horses Head against this red background because it is mainly composed of thick dust blocking out the light from behind. The bright spots you can see in the neck of the Horse are actually young stars being formed.
 
This dark nebula is just below Orions belt. You will need a powerful telescope to see the horses head, but it can be found near Alnitak the most eastern star of Orions belt. It is actually below Alnitak in the ’sword’ of Orion the Hunter, and is technically known as Barnard 33 in nebula IC 434. 

It is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex which CAN be seen with the naked eye. On a dark night look into the middle of Orions Sword and you will see a hazy blob, that’s the M42 nebula. You may be disappointed that it’s only a hazy blob, but you are looking at a cloud of gas 1,500 light years from Earth!

If you would like to know what it would be like to travel to Orion and the Horses Head, have a look at this video:

Hope you enjoyed the journey.

John McNally