APOD: 2022 August 29 - The Horsehead Nebula Region without Stars

Good morning, Rallypoint, and welcome to the August 29th edition of Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD): "The Horsehead Nebula Region without Stars." Lady Savannah and I were up sufficiently early this morning to see Orion as it was rising in the eastern sky. Alnitak, along with the other two stars in Orion's Belt, were clearly visible. However, one needs a little technological help to see all the features in today's APOD. And some orientation, using Altinak as a reference point.

In the northern hemisphere, Altinak is the leftmost star in Orion's Belt. Orion appears to march upright as he travels across the sky. In the southern hemisphere, Altinak is the rightmost star in Orion's Belt (e.g. Orion is heads-down south of the Equator). But once you've got location out of the way, the other features in today's APOD fall in place: the Flame Nebula, Horsehead Nebula, dust, and ionized gas. Truly a remarkable canvas. The Mayan culture in MesoAmerica is said to have believed the fires of creation resided in Orion (specifically the Orion Nebula, below and out of frame). They weren't far off.