IC 434 · nebula

Horsehead Nebula complex

IC 434 is a bright emission nebula in the equatorial constellation of Orion.

RA05h 41m 00sDec−02° 27' 13"

Image: Ken Crawford. CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Identity & coordinates

Identification

Primary designation: IC 434
All designations: IC 434 · Horsehead Nebula complex
Object type: Nebula
Constellation: Orion
Best viewing: Winter

Coordinates & physical

Right ascension (J2000): 05h 41m 00s
Declination (J2000): −02° 27' 13"
Apparent magnitude (V): —
Distance: —

III

Visibility tonight

The science

IC 434 is a bright emission nebula in the equatorial constellation of Orion. It was discovered on February 1, 1786, by German-British astronomer William Herschel. The nebula is located at a distance of approximately 1,260 ly (385 pc) from the Sun and spans the interior of a neutral hydrogen shell with an angular size of 2° × 4°. At that distance, the dimensions correspond to a projected size of 42 ly × 85 ly.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA-4.0