Astronomy Picture of the Day
Explore the cosmos! Each day, a unique image or photograph of our remarkable universe is showcased, accompanied by a concise explanation crafted by a professional astronomer.
Rigel and the Witch Head Nebula
Explanation: Does the blue nebula resemble the head of a witch? Commonly referred to as the Witch Head Nebula, its shape is said to evoke a Halloween-style caricature of a witch’s head, sparking imaginative interpretations. What is evident is that IC 2118 spans approximately 50 light-years and is composed of gas and dust that has been partially eroded by the proximity of the star Rigel. One of the more luminous stars in the constellation Orion, Rigel is located just beneath the centre of the image presented. The blue hue of the Witch Head Nebula is attributed not only to Rigel’s intense blue starlight but also to the fact that the dust grains scatter blue light more adeptly than red. This same phenomenon is responsible for the blue appearance of the daytime sky on Earth, although the particles responsible for scattering in our atmosphere are nitrogen and oxygen molecules.
Upcoming Image: Suddenly Saturn
Date: November 9, 2026
Credit & Copyright: Piotr Czerski
Service provided by: ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech University.
Yesterday’s Image: Major Fireball Meteor (November 8, 2026)
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s image!
More Stories
NASA Offers £1 Million to Students for Innovative Moon Base Challenge
Spectacular Fireball Meteor Lights Up the Night Sky on 8th November 2026
Explore the De Gerlache-Kocher Massif: November 7, 2026 Astronomy Picture of the Day