April 19, 2013
Somewhere between the hydrogen and the starlight, between the gravity and the grace, the universe conspired to bring you into being.
NGC 1788 and the Witch's Whiskers
Birthday · April 19, 2013
A little universe, just for you
Your date.
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APOD published April 19, 2013. Credit: John Davis. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
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.
Image credit: John Davis