<P> The Horsehead Nebula ( also known as Barnard 33 ) is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion . The nebula is located just to the south of the star Alnitak , which is farthest east on Orion 's Belt , and is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex . The nebula was first recorded in 1888 by Scottish astronomer Williamina Fleming on photographic plate B2312 taken at the Harvard College Observatory . The Horsehead Nebula is approximately 1500 light years from Earth . It is one of the most identifiable nebulae because of the shape of its swirling cloud of dark dust and gases , which bears some resemblance to a horse 's head when viewed from Earth . </P>
<P> The Horsehead Nebula ( also known as Barnard 33 ) is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion . The nebula is located just to the south of the star Alnitak , which is farthest east on Orion 's Belt , and is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex . The nebula was first recorded in 1888 by Scottish astronomer Williamina Fleming on photographic plate B2312 taken at the Harvard College Observatory . The Horsehead Nebula is approximately 1500 light years from Earth . It is one of the most identifiable nebulae because of the shape of its swirling cloud of dark dust and gases , which bears some resemblance to a horse 's head when viewed from Earth . </P>
how far is the horsehead nebula from earth
how far is the horsehead nebula from earth
approximately 1500 light years
approximately 1500 light years