Astronomy Picture of the Day

This picture shows both the Horsehead Nebula and the Orion Nebula. The Horsehead Nebula is shown in the left of the photo: a beautiful red glow. Alnitak, the easternmost star in Orion's Belt, is the brightest star left of the Horsehead. Alnitak is also the flame nebula. The Orion Nebula is the cluster of pink-purple gas in the top right. Immediately to the left of the Orion Nebula is the reflection nebula often called the Running Man.