This remarkable, unworldly shape is dust reflecting the light of Rigel, usually the brightest star in Orion, though the nebula itself is in the neighbouring constellation of Eridanus. The surface of the nebula has probably been etched into this unusual shape by the radiation from Rigel, which is a particularly energetic, super-giant star. Despite the impression given here, the fancifully named Witch’s Head nebula is quite faint and in reality quite blue, since the reflecting dust particles are more akin to smoke than to the dust of the desert. Both the nebula and Rigel are at a distance of about 800 light years.

The delicate nebula is seen here oriented with north to the top, giving the impression of hands resisting the onslaught of radiation from Rigel. This image was made from a UK Schmidt plate taken in blue light.