Astronomy Magazine – Your source for the latest news on astronomy, observing events, space missions, and more.

A dancing horse

Michael Telesco, taken from Peña Trevinca, Spain

This previously unnoticed reflection nebula in Perseus was found by Michael Telesco. Inspired by discoveries of objects by astrophotographers like Julian Shapiro and Bray Falls, he says he did some “extensive survey deep-diving” and found a bright mid-infrared region that had been identified by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS). He took over 33.4 hours of exposure in LRGB filters with a 12-inch scope; the results revealed the nebula seen here, reflecting the blue light of hot, young stars. Telesco has named it the Dancing Horse Nebula — not be confused with the Prancing Horse dark nebula near the galactic core.