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APOD: 2026 November 9 – Rigel and the Witch Head Nebula
Publication: NASA
Author: Not available in collected metadata
Source published: 09/11/2026, 05:05:00 UTC
Briefing created: 15/11/2026, 05:35:08 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 09/11/2026, 16:20:25 UTC.
Briefings
On November 9, 2026, APOD featured the Witch Head Nebula (IC 2118), a 50-light-year-wide blue nebula in Orion's belt. The nebula's shape resembles a witch's head due to its resemblance to the star Rigel, which is located just below the nebula's center. The blue color results from Rigel's intense blue starlight and efficient scattering of blue light by dust grains, similar to Earth's atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen molecules. The image was credited to Piotr Czerski with editorial oversight by Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, and Keighley Rockcliffe.
Key points
- The Witch Head Nebula (IC 2118) is approximately 50 light-years across and displays a shape resembling a witch's head due to its proximity to the nearby star Rigel.
- The blue color of the nebula is caused by Rigel's intense blue starlight and the efficient scattering of blue light by dust grains, similar to Earth's atmospheric scattering of sunlight.
Context
This APOD image, published on November 9, 2026, highlights the relationship between a prominent star and a nearby nebula. The visual similarity between the nebula's form and the star Rigel is a key visual feature, while the physical explanation involves stellar radiation and interstellar dust dynamics.
Limitations
The evidence is a single snapshot from a specific date (November 9, 2026) and does not include historical context, prior observations, or future predictions. The specific physical mechanisms for the nebula's color are described as general principles rather than detailed measurements.
Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 15/11/2026, 05:35:08 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.
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